HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS PAST WEEK TO JONATHAN!

 So happy he was brave enough to join our crazy family😳 He is a wonderful husband to Kate, and an amazing Dad to Sayre - He is generous, kind, talented, and funny and we love him so much ❤ Happy Birthday, Jonathan 🎈🎂

And - Happy Heavenly Birthday to our sweet sister, Francie, whose birthday was yesterday.  We miss her! I am always so grateful for her example as I was growing up - She let me practice my babysitting skills on Matthew and Steven, and she was always so patient and kind.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful siblings ❤

OUR FAVORITE MISSIONARY is alive and doing well! 

His mission just posted some photos of a recent zone conference and I found this one of Elder Hopkins 😀

Last week, he sent a short letter that made me smile - 

"This week was kinda crazy, we got to have a fire on the beach which was super fun.  We also got to throw axes which I'm pretty sure isn't allowed but we can just say its a grey area.  Then I got bit by a dog so that was stupid👎 but me and my companion got to be in the primary program which was sick!! I honestly don't have a lot this week but it was still a great week! 

Spiritual thought: Elder Bendar has a devotional called "As Long as the World Shall Stand" if you get a chance please listen, it has changed my view on temples and made me realize how lucky we are to have temples so close to us. Please please go listen and then tell me what you think!

Also keep sending me emails I love to read them and hear about how everyone's doing!"

I loved this talk by Elder Bednar, who talked about the profound sacrifices made by the early Saints when trying to complete Temple ordinances while at the same time, being driven from their homes in Nauvoo. 

Elder Bednar compared that time in history to our time, when the world was hit with Covid-19, and temples within the United States stayed open for 3 days, 24 hours, before the required closing date of midnight on November 13th, 2020.   Many temple workers worked through the late hours of the night and through to the early morning hours of the next day, assisting patrons who had to change their temple appointments to meet the new deadline.  

One of my favorite quotes from this talk is by President Ballard, who said," Sometimes we are tempted to let our lives be governed more by convenience than by covenant. It is not always convenient to live gospel standards and stand up for truth and testify of the Restoration. It usually is not convenient to share the gospel with others. It isn't always convenient to respond to a calling in the Church, especially one that stretches our abilities. Opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways, as we have covenanted to do, rarely come at convenient times. But there is no spiritual power in living by convenience. The power comes as we keep our covenants. As we look at the lives of these early Saints, we see that their covenants were the primary force in their lives."

Thank you, Paul for sharing this talk with us!

FAMILY NEWS

Did you know our very own Chris Ellsworth played a huge part in the $2.6 Billion Terminal B transformation at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston TX?  Chris was there this past week to celebrate the opening of the new terminal which includes 22 new main gates, the largest United Club in the United States, and several new eateries.  

Congratulations Chris!!!  It looks beautiful 

United Airlines (this is just a short clip of one of the new restaurants)

These two cuties also scored big this week - 

Jonathan took Sayre to mini golf, where Kate said after 30 tries, he finally got a hole-in-one.  I love the determination to not give up!  Watch out, Uncle Ken!  Sayre might have your number 😎

 Jake is getting close to the end of his outdoor soccer season, and on Saturday he was excited because his team won and they remain undefeated for the last two seasons. AND he scored, which doesn't happen often as a defender!

 And if there is anyone who knows how to live - it's Ben.

He had his first pedicure this weekend, and learned how to make bread.

I think I'm coming to your house 😁

Blythe made it home for the weekend and had a sweet reunion with her puppy 

FINALLY - HAPPY HALLOWEEN WEEK!

Adam called earlier in the week and asked if I had any photos of him on Halloween when he was little.  I am so sad to say this was the only one I could find - 

 We had a good laugh at his "black face" (what was I thinking???) and Kim's pumpkin costume.  As I was looking through the photos I found some real treasures I thought you might enjoy - 

And one of my favorite videos of Sayre -

More to come next week . . .

Sunday Selfies - 

 

We love you all so, so much!  ❤

Include the Savior in your life everyday, and you will have a wonderful week, 

FROM OUR FAVORITE MISSIONARY!     

 

Serving a mission is such a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning.  It can stretch our patience with ourselves and with others, and can teach us to love as the Savior does.  Paul has been in Long Beach, WA for two months now, working hard and learning that sharing the gospel can change lives and help others find peace and comfort in this crazy world.  

Transfers came out last week, and though Paul didn't get transferred, he did get a new companion and they have been working hard at finding people to share their faith with.  In his last letter he wrote, "Unfortunately there is some bad too, our recent convert really really does not like me. It is ok because he us starting to come around but long story short he is very prideful and struggles with people so for some reason he either loves you or really doesn't, hopefully this next week he comes around especially because he came to church after 3 weeks of missing." 

He always closes his letters with a spiritual thought and this one was so great, "I loved the talk from Elder Rasband and when he quoted Elder Monson who said "never let a problem become more important than a person who can be loved" I think this is a super important reminder to not let our differences be something to complain about rather let our differences be something to celebrate."

Who could have guessed this Cheeto loving cutie would grow to be such an amazing young man!  (Actually, I knew it all along 😃)

AND

SPEAKING OF AMAZING MEN . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAPA THIS PAST FRIDAY!

Papa & Emma

 He loved our Mom, he loved us, and he loved and was always so excited to see the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. (and my Mom would add that he loved the cows😊) 

"Trouble" & Blythe

I hope everyone celebrated on Friday with a big bowl of ice cream! You could even have "seconds" if one bowl wasn't quite enough. When we were visiting he would always ask me for a couple more scoops, and then he would say, "but don't let your Mom know" 😆.

NOTHING IS BETTER THAN FAMILY!

We were blessed with some special visitors over the last couple of weeks.  Kim and Chris came into town for a long weekend (Kim had Columbus Day off) and we had such a wonderful visit.  Saturday we went to Adam's soccer game at Liberty (his boys won) and it was a beautiful day to be outside, and in the evening we met for dinner.  We had a fun waiter who offered to take a photo for us, but then took one of himself too. 

Believe it or not, Kim and I didn't do any shopping, not even a trip to Target! But it was so nice just to spend some time together.  

She made some of Amelia's famous cinnamon bread (I observed) and it was so delicious.  I have the recipe so I may give it a try this week. 

Sendai also thought Chris was the best thing ever! Saturday morning, he took her for a long walk up the path and through the trails by the dog park. Thanks Chris, for spending some time with our girl! She loved it!!

This past weekend Max and Amelia drove over for a short couple of days. It was so fun to see them and wish they could have stayed longer.  Friday morning, we thought we would go to the Academy and do some grocery shopping - which we don't do very often -and they have new procedures now for taking non-ID card holders onto the base.  There were quite a few people waiting and a sign told us the wait would be at least two hours. We decided to try Peterson (which is not an Air Force Base any longer, but a Space Station) and there was only one person in front of us, and Max and Amelia had paperwork completed in just about 10 minutes.  We had a fun time - Dad got some inari sushi, we picked up some of the good Japanese rice they stock, and Max and Amelia got some snacks for their drive back to Utah on Saturday. 

We also got to see Josh and Ben for a few minutes.  They stopped by to see Max and Amelia.  Ben really spices up the visits - he is such a ball of energy, and says the funniest things.  I'm sad that the only photo we took while they were here is when they were leaving Saturday morning, and I still had my pajamas on. 😳

OH, AND JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW . . . BYU WON THEIR GAME YESTERDAY!!!!  

24 - 28 OVER NOTRE DAME 😃

Sayre & his friend

 It's that time of year again, when Sayre gets to visit the pumpkin patch.  The families in North Liberty really know how to celebrate Fall and upcoming Halloween.  I love that everything is so family oriented.  

We are so excited to visit them for Thanksgiving!❤

Ben had his "trunk or treat" last night and it looks like he had a great time, 

and I'm sure he got enough candy to last for at least a month 😳

Yesterday morning, after Max and Amelia left, Dad and I drove up to Monument for Jake's soccer game. He plays defense, and some great saves.  Hopefully, we'll get to see Lily play before her season ends. I do love soccer season!

Thanks to Kate for last week's Sunday Selfie, which

Sayre in the middle of a sneeze 😂 

 Also, I hate to admit that while she was bundled up and freezing at Sayre's soccer practice, 

I was basking in the sun at Jake's game. 🌞 It was such a beautiful Fall day ~

Sadly, I know our days are numbered and we'll soon be facing those cold days and freezing temperatures ourselves ⛄

Have a wonderful week, and remember - Each day is a gift where we can find joy in even the smallest of moments. ❤

 "I cannot add more time to your days or eliminate the many concerns modern life brings.  But I can offer this counsel: Not all matters are of equal value, and maintaining an eternal perspective helps us priortize the things that are of greatest value. . . Focus on the Savior.  Seek for the precious gifts His Atonement can impart." 

Elder Renlund, October 2026 General Conference

 HAPPY FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER & HAPPY GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND

&

HAPPY GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND!

 After some rainy and cool days last week, this weekend we have had the most beautiful weather - lots of sun, and warm with a cool breeze here and there.  Dad and I were able to watch all of conference and loved it so much, I don't know if I could pick a favorite.  I did pick out a few thoughts that I think are important -

1. The ordinances and covenants we make in the Temple can bring forgiveness, healing and peace.

2. As members of the Church who have covenanted to take upon ourselves the name of Christ we need to share our witness of God and His Son as an important way to keep that covenant.

3. Our lives are carved from the very things that make it hard - the challenges and hardships that happen, and the righteous desires that haven't.

and one of my favorites - from the Primary General President - "Your Heavenly Father sees you. Your Savior Jesus Christ sees you. They know your name, your circumstances, your gifts, and your divine potential. As we learn to see ourselves and one another as They do, our homes, wards, schools, and communities will becomre places of belonging, healing, and love."  

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ADAM THIS WEEK❤. We are so thankful for all that Adam brings to our family.  He is such a hard worker - whether at school with the kids, at home with his kids, on the soccer field with his other kids, or working on his truck, organizing family reunions, hunting, 

and in general, just being a fun person to be around.  

 

Hope you have the best birthday ever.  Love you so much!

I forgot about this little gem until I came upon it earlier this week.  I knew I didn't have that kind of wrapping paper 😂

Thanks Adam, for always getting the best of me ❤

FAMILY NEWS

BEN and Angella (and Amos) had some fun adventures yesterday!  Ben is growing so much - each week it seems he's another inch taller 😁

CHRIS was invited by his friend to the BYU football game held in Texas yesterday.  GO COUGARS!!  It was a great win for BYU - 17 - 10.                                                                                                                                     By the way - Air Force also did a great job yesterday of beating Navy 9 - 17.  We didn't get to see the B2 flyover, but we sure could hear it. 

GO AIR FORCE!  

While Chris was away at the game, BLYTHE found out her mom would be alone for the weekend (Grant was also away from home), so she put herself on the standby list and flew home to keep her mom company.  

What a great daughter! Thanks, Blythe for taking such good care of your sweet Mom ❤

 This is LILY'S version of watching conference today

and ADAM and JAKE have work tirelessly on Adam's truck and I think it is looking pretty good!

SPEAKING of cars - why am I suddenly seeing so many pink and white cars around town???

OUR FAVORITE MISSIONARY -

We usually get our letter from Paul on Mondays, so since the last blog was last Monday, I don't have any new information to report other than he is amazing, and he is learning so many good things.  I'll have more to share next week.  

AND finally, the sweetest love story ever . . .

  

 I knew my Mom and Dad met at a dance, but I didn't remember many details so tonight I called and when he didn't answer, I call Ruthie, and luckily they were together.  Mike had gone to Salt Lake for conference.  Ruthie shared that Mom had gone to the dance at Beale Air Force Base (back then it was an army base called Camp Beale) with a date, but I guess Dad had gone alone. In the end, Mom left the dance with Dad, and I'm not sure what happened to her date.  Mike said Dad was always so proud to share that piece of information.  Then Mike was telling us that shortly after Mom had her stroke (when Kate got married), she would occasionally have spells where she couldn't speak.  It happened one evening and Mike was home with both Mom and Dad so they took her to the emergency room, where she was given some medication which seemed to help. Mike said they were starting for home when it happened again, so they turned around and went back to the hospital.  Dad was in the room with Mom, and Mike had gone to the nurse's desk to check on the doctor, and when he came back to the room he could see Dad leaning over Mom talking to her quietly, then he kissed her on the lips, and said that "after you there was no one else."  Mike said it was a really private moment for them, but I am so glad he was there to tell the story. ❤

Have a great week, and send me news about all of your adventures, and photos!  Love you all so much ❤