Graditude for trials brings blessings....

A week to remember and maybe forget?

There have been so many blessing and wonderful things happen this week that we will not complain. 

BUT...

Two of the people we were teaching and had high hopes for said they couldn't wrap their heads around certain doctrine and want a break from being taught.

Ouch.

At least they said a 'break'.

That indicates they will want to try again.

Sometime.

We still have dinner at one of the homes and that is positive.

We have found materials that will help there as well.

The other is...

Well lets just say she needs to know Christ was our Savior not just a great man, teacher, prophet.

So when we go back that is where we need to start.

We had our monthly Family Home Evening at Butch and Jo Mark's home.

 Good times good food good people.

Gollihughs sister Kuhne and Marks daughter Tracy and children and of course the missionaries Elder Squires and cooper.

 Elder Campbell got his baby fix with little Jim-boze

 Wednesday we had out district meeting.  

It is amazing to me how changing Elders around changes the spirit of the meeting.

This meeting was very spiritual and a good learning environment.

I fixed chili and the sisters brought cookies. 

Everyone appreciates a good meal.

After district meeting they have to go home and fix something then go to work.

This way it is fixed and they can just go to work.

They show a lot of appreciation.

 Wednesday night we took Sisters Barlow and McClain with an investigator to the temple tour.
(We did have a quick dinner before)

 President Wood of the mission presidency is now doing the lectures.

Hats off to Brother Herzog.  He is a giant in the missionary work.

But he needs a rest and President Hall felt like we needed a 'missionary' doing the work.

I guess if you have a tag and a calling that is an official missionary.

Brother Herzog has been is and always will be a missionary and champions the cause of the Lords work.

 Looking up from the bottom of the green.

 President Wood took Brother Herzog's script and made it his own and did a powerful job.

These are always a great learning adventure and fun reunion with other missionaries and people we have met out and around.

 The lecture takes us from the bottom of the green and up and around the temple.

There are teachings given on all sides of the temple.

As we come around to the North side and look West is is always beautiful

As the days grow shorter this will be the time that the lights of the temple come on.

That is always very impressive as well.

 

 Sister McClain Barlow and Sarah.

Thursday evening after other appointments we met up with Elder Haack and Harrington to teach Vanessa.  We had dinner at the Olive Garden first.

These are a couple good missionaries.

Friday we went to the temple as part of our family temple marathon that was created by Ruth just before she died. 

It has become a family tradition.

We have a family member or members in a temple everyday it is open for one month.

Chris oversees it now and does a wonderful job.

Others help and assist.

Those who are closer to temples make themselves available in case someone has a hiccop and is unable to go that day.  

There is some trading of days...

BUT...

In the end it is accomplished and it becomes a huge blessing to our family.

Mary has also started something wonderful...

Random Acts of Kindness day...

She has put it on her blog and it has grown so that not just family participates.

The day is August 18 every year.

(the day Ruth Nick and Audrey died)

Of course the object is to get people thinking about being kind.

Doing, not huge things, but common everyday small kindnesses to others.

It is beautiful to see the beauty and life changing activities that have come from our great loss.

Sunday afternoon we went to Andrew and Bobbi Lee's home for an open house.
They just moved in and invited us.
We got there early enough to visit them and get to know them better....
And
We were able to help them get ready.
People kept arriving...
Beer was being served...
The DJ appeared and was setting up.
We had some appitizers and water with the guests and circulated and got to know some really good people.
BUT
Andrew and Bobbi wouldn't invite any one who wasn't good.
They are an amazing couple on the way to be first time parents.

Florida is beautiful....

 If I could I would stay...

 I like the fact that it is warm all year and well I don't like the cold.

BUT family home mountains have a greater pull for now.

 I know I take a lot of pictures of Sand Cranes...

They graze on lawns and are so friendly and unafraid and beautifully graceful.

Stan wishes we could incorporate them into Juniper.

 This is a grasshopper....

First I have seen.  

They are huge and very colorful.

I would hate to have these guys in Juniper.

They are a good three inches long.

I love the temple. There is so much there to partake of.

What peace it brings from the world trials.

My humble testimony comes at the close of a difficult week
I know that the Savior lives and loves us...
He knows who we are and what we need to grow and gain experience.
As long as we are engaged in His work He will be our strength.