Happy Fathers Day

Write a short message to your Dad or brother or friend or what ever he may be to you.
This good man is my wonderful husband, friend and lover. He is all that I had hoped for as a young woman in wondering what kind of man I would marry. He is a great Dad to our children and even greater Grandpa to our grand children. He always wants to do what is right and is wonderful Bishop in our ward.

A new car for Jackie

Jackie's car is on it's last leg--or so she tells me. So I asked Miguel to see what he could find. He's got a couple of possibilities that he's going to fix up. I'll send a picture later. But in the midst of it mom said that I was looking at a car that needed some paint on the hood of the car. Jackie interpreted that to mean something else and asked me, "Dad, you're not going to get me a car that has a hood that is a different color are you?" Here's a picture of what she was picturing in her mind. "No, Jackie, I'll try to do better than that."
Dad

fun with the grandkids

I guess this event gets double billing because Naomi also "reported" it on her blog.
Mom & I went to Yakima on a day it snowed and I built a snowman with the girls. We couldn't find any rocks for the eyes so I went in the house to see what I could find and improvised--smashed pop cans. And I think I've invented a new way to do snowman eyes. I'll probably use pop cans from now on.

Nice day in the temple

We challenged the temple recommend holders in our ward to be in the temple this past Thursday--to attend whatever session they could. We ended up having 4th warders in every session at the temple. We had 51 attend during the day. We did 57 temple "units" (endowment or sealing session); some did more than one session. We were pretty excited how it turned out. I think we have about 100 temple recommend holders, so we didn't get everyone, but we had more members of the ward there in one day than we ever have before, that I've known about. I was grateful.

34 Years

Today is our 34th wedding anniversary. I wonder where all the years have gone. And then I look at the pictures of all of my kids on the wall in their senior picture and the wedding pictures that are hanging on the walls now along with grandkids of the those that are married and I know where the years have gone. It has been a great journey with Russ and our kids and grandchildren. We haven't always agreed and liked some of the things that we have done but we have loved each other like no others. I am grateful that Russ has been my companion and best friend and may we have another 34 years together.

Receive these little ones

I'm teaching the New Testament this year. Last week I was reading Matthew 18 where it talks about becoming as a little child. I read verse 5 that says, "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." I thought about how we need to teach, help, and bless little children and was ready to read on when I wondered about the word "receive." What does it mean to "receive" little children? How do we receive them? It occurred to me that one way we receive them is when we welcome them into our families. And I thought about my children who are now young parents and are in the middle of the challenges of raising young families. Thanks for receiving these precious children into your families. Thanks for loving them and teaching them. The Savior said when you receive them you receive Him. This adds new meaning to the verse "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ... ye have done it unto me" (Matt 25:40). Love, Dad

Love Letters

Today in Relief Society the Joseph Smith lesson 'A Heart Full of Love and Faith: The Prophet's Letters to His Family was taught. I was touched by his words of love and devotion he had towards his family. I was thinking how we know that we love one another but do we truly express it to one another. Yes, we call often and say "I love you" but do you really know that I pray for each one of you daily. That your success in the world and in the gospel and for your safety and my grandchildren are always in my prayers. I name each of you by name including my grandchildren. I pray that my children are teaching my grandchildren about the gospel of Jesus Christ. That you are teaching them who God the Father is and that He answers prayers. That Jesus Christ is their Redeemer. I pray that you are doing all you can in your church callings. I pray for your safety in your jobs, that you will be good mothers and fathers, you do well in your schooling. I pray that evil men and women will be kept away from my children and grandchildren that you will not be harmed by them. I pray that you are serving where you see a need. I worry about each one of you. My prayers have been heard by a loving Heavenly Father because so far each of you seem to be doing all that I ask for in my prayers. I am grateful for each one of you. I appreciate who you are and the things you are doing in the world and in the church. You give my heart great joy when I think of the good that all of you are doing. Please know that I know that Heavenly Father lives! He knows me and He knows each one of you by name. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that he did atone for my sins. That by Him and only Him can I return to be with My Father in Heaven. This is a first of a "Love Letter" to each of you.