This has been a busy week and occasionally, when my days start out to be hectic from the moment my feet hit the floor, I end up putting off my morning prayers until sometimes it is time for evening prayers.  I have a testimony that there is power in prayer and Heavenly Father will listen to us no matter where we are or what we have done in this life.  I am making prayer a priority in my daily schedule this week -  my days are always better when I do.  I loved Elder Holland's talk this past General Conference, and his thoughts about prayer after his wife unexpectedly passed away and then became critically ill himself. . .

"I thank all of you and thank my Father in Heaven, who heard your prayers and blessed my life.

Brothers and sisters, I testify that God hears every prayer we offer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined for our perfection. I recognize that at roughly the same time so many were praying for the restoration of my health, an equal number—including me—were praying for the restoration of my wife’s health. I testify that both of those prayers were heard and answered by a divinely compassionate Heavenly Father, even if the prayers for Pat were not answered the way I asked. It is for reasons known only to God why prayers are answered differently than we hope—but I promise you they are heard and they are answered according to His unfailing love and cosmic timetable."

Kim and I are back at school for another term.  Kim was able to take a block class but I wasn't able to find one with classes I needed to take.  I actually considered not taking a class this term, but I have enjoyed the challenge of school and learning, and thought I might really miss it all if I waited until August.  

I registered for a Public Speaking class, which is a required course, but much easier without all of the reading and writing that I had to do in my class last term.  I love when I can learn things I will use, and this is definitely one that will be helpful in so many ways.  Kim is taking Art 125, a creative design class and I know she will do great ~

    CONGRATULATIONS KATE!

Kate was one of 18 staff members from the University of Iowa honored with a 2024 Staff Excellence Award!

Kate Allen serves as an instructional service specialist for the photography and 3D design areas in the School of Art and Art History. She plays a crucial part in addressing the technological needs of students, such as dedicating time to mastering tools for the 3D Design discipline and restructuring the 3D Design BFA studio. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Allen collaborated with faculty to revamp the online photography curriculum to ensure students continued to receive a meaningful educational experience and were able to fulfill requirements without lab access. Allen also assumed a leadership role in a school-wide DEI committee, ensuring that the voices of all staff members are heard and represented.   YOU GO GIRL! 🏆

HAPPY SWEET 16TH BIRTHDAY, HOLLIE!    

Can't believe this sweetie is already 16!  She has the kindest heart and the brightest smile.  She is doing great in school and is an amazing cook.  She spent this weekend with us and she dusted, vacuumed, took Sendai for walks, and even had time to dye her hair 😀. Love you Hollie, and happy birthday on Tuesday 💖

I actually got to touch my sewing machine this week ~ Several weeks ago Eilis brought a dress over that she needed to have altered for her Prom.  I had a couple of ideas but the thought of taking apart something so pretty was daunting so I asked Brittany Rigss' mother to come over and help me.  She is an amazing seamstress and gave me some good ideas that made it not as hard as I thought it would be.  She got sparkly shoes and long black gloves to complete the look - and she looked amazing.  

Also got to have lunch with Emma this week.  We went to Panera and they finally have their Mexican Corn Chowder again. Yum

Thanks Emma!

Fun surprise of the week - Sammi stopped by one evening with a Panera M&M cookie for Ji-Chan and I.  Thanks Sammi! (Please notice who is in the corner eyeing the cookie) 😀

Friday morning Kevin and I traveled up to Denver for an appointment with President Priday, our Temple president.  He is just the kindest man.  He set us apart as temple workers and we will start next week working the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.  We love being in the Temple and helping the brothers and sisters who come.  It is soooo good to be back 💕

SUNDAY SELFIES - 

Our crabapple tree finally has blossoms!

Max in California visiting friends

Beauty treatment for Angella and Ben 😀 

And you must watch this one - Jonathan is teaching Sayre how to chop onions 😲 He does a great job!

LOVE YOU!!!

 So, it wasn't a real vacation with palm trees and beaches but it was a much-needed vacation from school! YAAAAY!!!  Kim and I had a short break from classes this week and it was wonderful!  I still worked at Timberview on Tuesday and Thursday but when I got home I was able to sit outside, enjoy the sun, read my book, and take Sendai for a walk without having to feel guilty that I wasn't working on school assignments.  

Speaking of sitting outside . . . Thursday late afternoon Dad and I were in the Kitchen talking when we heard this horrible noise outside - the kind of noise you know has got to be something you really don't want to see . . .

Apparently, a gust of wind came up and pulled the umbrella out of it's stand and on the way out it hit the table top and shattered it.  Such a mess!  A million pieces of tiny glass particles to pick up - not to mention I lost my favorite relaxation spot. We have been on the look out for a new table and hopefully can find something in the next couple of weeks.   

FAMILY NEWS ~

Paul is officially on my list of great dancers!  Anyone want a lesson?  (Thanks Sammi!)

Watch out Blythe and Chris - You have some serious competition 😃  

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLIE!

Hollie has a birthday next week but she celebrated with Emma this week. What a lucky girl with such great sisters!  Emma and Hollie had a sleepover and then went shopping and out to eat the next day.  I think we will celebrate Hollie for the next two weeks ~

BEN and EILIS were here over the weekend.  Ben loves trains so Josh took him to the train store at the Mall which could be every little (and big) boys dream store. One evening Josh told him he needed to have patience, and his reply was "I don't like patience".  What six-year-old does?  😄

FROM CHICAGO ~

Kim and Blythe got matching dresses and they are so cute! (the dresses and the girls)    

Kim and Chris were out last night and on their way home they stopped to see Spencer at the restaurant where he works.  

It's not fair that I only get to see him once a year 😞

We miss you, Spencer! 💕

AND since no one, and I mean NO ONE, sent me a Sunday Selfie today Dad and I decided to inflict you all with one of us 😊

Friday, I had a dental appointment, and our dentist, Dr. Murdock came in for a short visit before I had my cleaning.  He is so great - I worked with him when I was in Relief Society, and he was assigned as a High Councilor to our Ward.  He was telling me that he held a meeting for his dental team earlier that week and shared with them part of a conference talk by Elder Uchtdorf from April 2012.  I told him I would come home and read it - I did, and it was so good I wanted to share some of his thoughts tonight.  

"I imagine that every person on earth has been affected in some way by the destructive spirit of contention, resentment, and revenge. Perhaps there are even times when we recognize this spirit in ourselves. When we feel hurt, angry, or envious, it is quite easy to judge other people, often assigning dark motives to their actions in order to justify our own feelings of resentment.

Of course, we know this is wrong. The doctrine is clear. We all depend on the Savior; none of us can be saved without Him. Christ’s Atonement is infinite and eternal. Forgiveness for our sins comes with conditions. We must repent, and we must be willing to forgive others. Jesus taught: “Forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not … [stands] condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin”and “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

Of course, these words seem perfectly reasonable—when applied to someone else. We can so clearly and easily see the harmful results that come when others judge and hold grudges. And we certainly don’t like it when people judge us.

But when it comes to our own prejudices and grievances, we too often justify our anger as righteous and our judgment as reliable and only appropriate. Though we cannot look into another’s heart, we assume that we know a bad motive or even a bad person when we see one. We make exceptions when it comes to our own bitterness because we feel that, in our case, we have all the information we need to hold someone else in contempt.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, said that those who pass judgment on others are “inexcusable.” The moment we judge someone else, he explained, we condemn ourselves, for none is without sin. Refusing to forgive is a grievous sin—one the Savior warned against. Jesus’s own disciples had “sought occasion against [each other] and forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were afflicted and sorely chastened.”

May I add a footnote here? When the Lord requires that we forgive all men, that includes forgiving ourselves. Sometimes, of all the people in the world, the one who is the hardest to forgive—as well as perhaps the one who is most in need of our forgiveness—is the person looking back at us in the mirror.

This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon.  When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

Stop it!" 

(The Merciful Obtain Mercy. April 2012)

I was talking with a friend this week about how hard it can be to forgive and often I don't think it can be done without help from our Savior.  Holding a grudge and being unwilling to forgive is such a huge burden to carry.  I hope you will all take to heart the words of Elder Uchtdorf!. Ask for Heavenly Father's help to forgive - it works! 

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK AND KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED!!!

BEST HUSBAND EVER !!!

Added an Air Tag

After 2 failed attempts at making rice in the instant pot, Kevin surprised me with a new rice cooker this week.  What happened to the old one is still a mystery - maybe one day it will show up - but we are making sure this one never leaves 😁.   It has been kind of a crazy week - I babysat Helma on Monday, Tuesday I worked at Timberview and studied in the evening.  Dad had his Dr appointment on Wednesday, and while I was waiting for him, my good friend Michelle from 

Liberty came in with her husband.  I last saw her when we both retired so we had a great time visiting and catching up on who is doing what (ok gossiping), however, I missed 2 hours of time I was hoping to use studying for my final.  After we got home, I took Sendai for a walk and taught her all about theories, assumptions, and critiques, etc.  She is officially the smartest dog in the state of Colorado!  I did well on my test, got an A in the class and have been learning how to breathe again these last few days.  

Max came into town on Thursday after spending a few days in Houston with his Dad.  He had an assignment in one of his classes to do some job shadowing.  His plan was to go back to Provo, but he wasn't able to get on a flight so made a quick change of plans and came

here.  Thursday evening, we went out to dinner and Emma joined us.  How fun to have grandchildren around!    Friday evening we went out to Adams for pizza.  Max's good friend and missionary companion, Devin flew out so Max would have some company on the way back to Utah. The weather has been nice enough that we were able to sit outside and visit.

I got my first bite of pizza with a cauliflower crust and it was really good. And, got to do a photoshoot with Paul 😃 - Thanks, Adam and Cory for letting us invade your home and backyard.  We took Sendai intending to keep her tethered to a tree.  She did well, but then she fooled us all. She went outside just before we were ready to leave, and was hanging around on the deck with everyone until she went down by the fence and made a jump for freedom - She made a dash through the neighborhood that lasted for just about 5 minutes when Jake cornered her.  That was probably her last trip to Monument 😀.  

Max and Devin left around 10:30 and drove through the night, but made it home safely.  

SAYONARA, RUBY!  Off to some new adventures with Max ~

MY FAVORITE SUNDAY SELFIE!  Thanks for sending Kate 💕

ANGELLA sent me this video of Ben that was so sweet.  He is telling his mom to "clock out" because it's time to read.  When Angella was working from home and he wanted her attention, she would tell him that she needed to "clock out" before she could spend time with him - also, pay attention to the book he wants to read 💗

WHAT ARE THEY STARING AT? 🌞

Blythe, Cora, Kim, Spencer

Grant, Blythe, Cora, Spencer

The Eclipse is a marvel to me.  A couple of years ago Elder Stevenson shared some perspectives on a Solar Eclipse.  He said, "If you imagine the sun as the size of a common bicycle tire, the moon in comparison would scarcely be the size of a small pebble.  How is possible that the very source of our warmth, light, and life could be so greatly obscured by something comparatively insignificant in size?  Although the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, it is also 400 times farther away from the earth.  From Earth's perspective, this geometry makes the sun and moon appear to be the same size.  When the two are aligned just right, the moon seems to obscure the entire sun.

It is another testimony to me that the creation of the Earth, in all that it entailed, could only have been done by our Heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ.  It has also made me more aware of the powers of heaven, and the beauty in nature that we see every day.  

I love you all so much!  Be safe this week and do good things 💝