First day of Spring, 2010!

Von, Sheila and a neighbor brought over Halie's swingset from their last residence, so we have two swingsets in the backyard now. We invited Rosie and the kids over to break it in.

Tyler, Camron, Halie, Kristin and Alexis

Cujo making a run down the slide.

Tyler jumping out.

Camron's turn.

Kristin's turn.

Even Rosie!

Camron hoola hooping

Lexi trying out the rough terrain.

Bug hunting.

It is finished!

My stake Relief Society presidency pulled off a Stake Womens Conference today, after much preparation, and the usual stress of carrying out such a big and important assignment. We were blessed with a dry morning, so were able to set-up in time. Snow arrived during the luncheon, but everyone seemed to get home without any falls, that I'm aware of.

Our theme was "Prepare Every Needful Thing", in light of the many disasters that keep occuring around the world. We invited each ward to provide a full size quilt for the Humanitarian Center. Several were brought for display today. We held four rotating classes on Family Home Evening/Scripture Study, Finances, Food Storage, and Emergency Preparedness, utilizing the expertise of members of our stake. It was wonderful that both the physical and spiritual aspects of "preparation" were addressed in each class, and by our Stake President during our opening meeting. Including God in all things can give us added direction and peace to endure.

Afterwards we all met for a luncheon with a layered salad (Spanish Plate) of tortilla chips, a meat sauce, white rice, grated cheese, and a salad mix of finely chopped lettuce, celery, bell pepper, and green onion. A cake with the Relief Society seal, honoring the organization of Relief Society (Mar. 17, 1842), was served for dessert.

Von and Sheila were saviors today. Since Von and I worked in the temple Friday night, I only had Sat. morning to prepare food. Von got up with me at 5:30am today to prepare my share of the meal. I asked Sheila to oversee the nursery, so Von tended her girls until we returned around 1:30pm. Sheila was a big help in the nursery. About 15 children came, and 3 young women assisted her. I had put together boxes of nursery activities, games, videos, music cd's, as well as snacks, etc, etc. since they were going to be there for 4 hours or so. She also helped me set out the food and water pitchers before the luncheon, and single-handedly loaded all of my things back into the van, in the snow, after the luncheon. Such a trooper!

Von said the girls were angels. The teachers were excellent. The Nursery went well. We had enough food, and sisters (about 100) came from each of our 8 wards, a Spanish Branch, and a Young Singles Branch. Most of all, many were enlightened, including myself, on taking steps to be better prepared and organized in dealing with trials and challenges in our lives.

Baptism Day!

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him...And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:13-17)
"And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of hands (for the gift of the Holy Ghost). And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants 68:27-28)


Rosie took these photos after Tyler's baptism, so I'm posting them on my blog, since her's is out of commission.

In back David's parents Hank and Elsie, brother Robert and Connie, Sarah and William, Von and me. Rosie and David on couch with Abby and Brian (cousin). Olivia (Brian's) and Lila (Robert's) on back of couch. In front Ammon (Robert's), Camron, Tyler, Anna and Kelsey (Robert's), and Kristin.

Notice Kristin in the background. She has been practicing constantly, and is doing so well at her piano lessons. Rosie's favorite

my favorites

Von and I attended two baptisms today, March 6. First we traveled to Eagle Mountain for an early morning baptism of Von's nephew Blair's youngest son, Tyson. Von's sister, Nan, gave her traditional talk on the Holy Ghost, presenting Tyson with his "comforter".

Nan and Tyson

Tyson and his family, Jessica, Christie, Blair, Tyson, Hunter, and Austin.

From Eagle Mountain we traveled to Riverton for Tyler's baptism at noon. His bishop baptised and confirmed him. Von also presented Tyler with a "comforter" during his talk on the Holy Ghost. I wound up playing piano during the service, accompanied Rosie and two sister-in-laws, Connie and Sarah, in a trio which was amazing!(How Great Thou Art) and gave the baptism

talk! We met at Rosie's afterwards for lunch, photos, a few gifts.

New scriptures from Von and me. I remember receiving my first Bible at age 9 during a Methodist service, and reading and marking it regularly as long as I had it. I also remember pouring over my first Book of Mormon given to me by the LDS missionaries at age 18, and reading and marking it often for as long as I had it. I have since had several more Bibles and scriptures that have also been read and studied often all my life. For as long as I can remember from my parents side as a child, I loved hearing and learning about the Word of God. My parents still love learning and studying the Word of God, and have been great examples to me and all of our family. Von's mother also made a great impression on me with her love for and sharing of the Word of God on many occassions. There have also been a number of wonderful teachers who gave me that desire to learn for myself...Sunday School teachers Garth Spitler and Dorothy Reis, and LDS Institute Director David Jacobs. My son, David, is actually named after him.

Dear friends, Tammy and John Stobbe with Von, who also dropped in after the baptism at Rosie's house.

Grandma Elsie presenting a gift. Kristin looking on.

Luncheon after the baptism at Rosie's.

Jon and Sheila to Arizona

Friday morning, March 5, looked like this. It was traveling day, of course! Jon drove with his dad and brother, and Sheila and girls flew to Arizona for the baptism of Jon's niece this weekend.

Jon on his way to Arizona.

Sheila and girls at the airport. Sheila and girls will return on Monday, and live with us until Jon finds work in Arizona. Jon will live with his brother and family while job-hunting. They hope to make Arizona their new home.

A new Cub Scout!

Tyler excited about being a cub scout. He got his bobcat, and is now working on his wolf.

Las Vegas pit stop

On our way home from El Centro, we stopped in on Jo and Mike for lunch.

Mike, Jo and Joker.

Jo in her new sitting room upstairs

The other half of the room.

A visit to El Centro

Von and I journeyed to the end of California to visit my dad and mother. Of course it's already looking and feeling like Spring there...a little rain, some clouds, and plenty of sunshine. El Centro is the winter home of the Blue Angels, so they were flying around each day we were there.

Dad's fountain display.

A couple of mega roses hanging in the yard.

Von, mother and dad enjoying the backyard.

Out on the front porch swing.