SLC and the Reunion

Did you know that Salt Lake City has Coool weather right now?  We actually got to experience it too!  We decided to 'go to conference' which is interpreted as ....we drove up to Utah for our 'mission reunion and then watched conference on President's TV.  We had a fabulous time!

A hiking trip to Havasupai had been planned and much anticipated by Rod and several of 'our missionaries' but the trip had to be canceled due to rain and flooding.  As a consolation we decided to indulge in a visit to the cool country!

Our Amazing President and Sister Deere held a reunion at their house and were so kind as to allow us to spend a few days as their guests!  After getting to see them, the highlight was seeing all our dearly beloved missionaries of the Spain Malaga Mission!

PS  The Deeres have a gorgeous home and amazing yard!

Here are photos of a few of our missionaries.  



 

 

 

Including President's first 'grandmissionary' and the Wilsons!

President Deere

Old married folks!



He forgot what standing next to Elder Castillo for a photo means....Wedgie!

The flash was off but I had to keep it even though it was out of focus! 

We loved seeing everyone!  I am of mixed feelings.  I really want to put names on the photos because I will very soon be unable to remember them but I don't want to put more info on the net than people want to have out there.  Anyway, we love you all!  If you want me to forward any photos, let me know!

Missed it

I Seem to have missed about half of September, at least as far as the blog is concerned.  I am glad I take photos.  I think I wouldn't remember anything I did without them.  So here is the synopsis.

 

Bishop Castillo performed his first 'after the mission' wedding.  They wanted a Very small ceremony so Rod obliged, but we had to make it a celebration so there was cake, Martinelli's, and some flowers.  We are very happy for them!

 

 

Like many folks around here, I had to photograph the eclipse of the 'blood moon'.  It was fascinating!

This is the view from the back of our condo.  Of course, photos don't do it justice.

 Then there was a birthday...an 8th birthday.  My sister's eldest daughter.  I kind of love that her kids are my grandkids' ages.  Mormons!

 

 Our Mom usually has made baptism dresses but she just wasn't up to it this year so I stepped in.  My niece's delight made it very gratifying!

That is a cute family there!

 

 My cute husband planned a surprise activity for us!  It was going kayaking on the lake, just the two of us.  We had such a good time.  It was lovely and warm which is very nice when you are in the lake water.  I loved it!!!

 Thanks to our kids for lending them too us!

There was an animal running on the arm of this saguaro to the cliff.   

We were not alone, but I was glad when this one passed.  One of the things I love about canoeing is the quiet....not possible while this was near.

 We stopped in a cove and had lunch that Rod had packed.

Look how the water sparkles!

 

 

With our heat, the water is quite a lovely green too.

There were a couple of sadnesses...

 

Rod discovered a broken part on his new backpack.  We are hoping REI will fix it for him.

 During our day on the lake, I got a sunburn on my finger....a place I never have been burned before.

 That is because I had to take off my ring.  I lost the diamond out of it.  Because they are wielded together I can't wear just the band.  The setting is vicious without the stone. I was grateful that I didn't feel too broken hearted about this...just sad.  I think the mission helped me feel less 'hung up' on Things and more focused  on relationships.  What a blessing that this marriage relationship is eternal!  A little piece of carbon won't impact anything about that.

 

 We had a fun Fiesta as a combined activity with the Spanish branch tied to our ward.

 

  I told Rod we had to wear our Spanish outfits even if they don't really 'go with' the theme.  We just won't get many chances and we have to take advantage of any that come along to 'get our money's worth' from them.  I loved it! That skirt is such fun to dance in!

A Chilena!!!

There were various encounters with the grandkids that aren't recorded, but we met up with these cuties as they went to Wally World for photos.  Sure do love them.

 

So grateful to have such an amazing family!

5th Sunday Challenge and Ward Campout

Hey Everyone!  It's September!  We have actually had a few double digit temperature days! ...... And there was much rejoicing! 
We have been quite busy lately, especially Rod.  Our Stake President asked bishops to speak on the 5th Sundays, sooooo Rod is now back to giving 5th Sunday talks.  They were something the singles ward used to look forward to.  August had a 5th Sunday, so Rod took not only the whole sacrament meeting, but the combined RS-Priesthood meeting too.  He has been struggling with so many needy people, trying to figure out how to meet their needs, plus he has been trying to work out the ward mission plan, improve home teaching/visit teaching and nurture new members.  He finally came to the conclusion that the first step in all of these was for everyone in the ward to learn everyone's name. We all put on name badges as we entered Sacrament meeting,  and Rod challenged us to start now to learn everyone's name, notice who wasn't there and call to see how they are doing. We are not supposed to sit in our 'usual spot' in the chapel, but change each week  helping us meet new people. He gave us a new name : the Y'all ward rather than the Udall ward, because we Are Friendly.   He told of his love for the Temple and admonished us to seize the blessings we are entitled to; to give up the "newly wed/nearly dead" description (which is accurate  and clever) for the "Temple led" ward, challenging us to be in the Temple or on it's grounds/in the visitor's center every week.  He shared with us some of the truly amazing  blessings promised in the Visitor's Center dedicatory prayer.  We have the these buildings in our ward boundaries! How can we neglect receiving those blessings. Rod's talk was  marvelous and the whole ward is mobilized.  So many members were just delighted with it.  Then during the third hour, he challenged us to identify our level of missionary activity and boost it up a notch. There was a check list! The last 15 minutes we had a 'speed visiting' session.  Everyone was to introduce themselves to someone they didn't know, especially across age boundaries.  Just cause we are old, doesn't mean we shouldn't talk to the youth.  Then we went out and took a group photo of everyone that was there.    The plan is for the ward missionaries to bring our check lists around and help us meet our goals.  Our sweet neighbors just tear up when they talk about it.  A lot to live up to!  I have been trying!

This past Friday, we had our ward campout.  The Cardon family let us use their Madera ranch for it.  What an example.  We are constantly told that the rich are not admirable somehow.  It seems they must be selfish or something to have accumulated wealth.  Well, it's not true in this case, nor in many others I have encountered.  We used their grounds, water and electricity, tables, chairs, basket ball court etc.  We were asked to clean the bathrooms afterwards and haul out our garbage.  While we were there, Brother Cardon was using a back hoe to set up  solar power for the pump house, and also grading another spot so there will be room for 2 wards at once or maybe a stake to have a campout.  His wife was there with a shovel to help him and they wouldn't let me help at all.  Here are some photos.  The sculptures are of the Sweetwater crossing and were done by a neighbor.

The dog, Luther, was a great sport with all the kids.  He even played Frisbee.

We are growing to love this ward so much and are grateful for the opportunity to serve with them.

Time Away

Every one needs a little time 'away from it all'!  You might think that being retired would make that less so, but it just might be even more needful.  You see, your days can become very similar.  It's not that you want to do differently exactly, but a change is a real treat.  When my Mom and I drove down to Tucson, she confided to me that she had looked forward to the trip just as a change from the usual.

 

For me, my ceramics is one of those things.  I look forward all week to my classes and miss them during the breaks.  This is a haul of bisque ware that had been fired at the same time.  I am very happy with everything here, though the glazing wasn't always as successful.  I will try to get a photo of them fired.

 

 

yes, the pitcher has a mustache... it was fun!

Here are some syrup/gravy pitchers I made to give to our former missionaries. 

 If anyone has a request, I will try to make it.  I can do platters, bowls, pitchers, and planters.  I am working on some taller pieces.  We'll see.  If you wish to give a home to any of my creations, let me know!

We had planned a beach trip with one of our missionaries who has never seen the ocean.  Well, he went and got engaged...silly boy... and found he had other priorities for his time and money.  We decided we still wanted to go so we headed off to San Diego for a couple of days.  It was wonderful and relaxing.

We wandered old town, spent several hours on the beach...with the sunburns to prove it, and revisited the San Diego temple for some sealings. It is just lovely.  How grateful we are for our Temples and the perspective they give us on our life problems.  We still love getting to visit as we drive....we don't seem to just talk as much when there are phone calls, TV, and electronics to distract us. It was just FUN!