New Window

Dearest Family,

Champion Windows came and replaced the west window in the front room Saturday morning. It had a crack from the bottom to the top caused by the settling of the house. Our home owner's insurance didn't cover the cost. The window looks very nice and has the latest thermo-efficient features. Instead of being a large picture window it has three sections which can be opened.

This has been busy week with extra things. Monday John and I gave our 3 minute talks in the devotional. That is such a nerve-wracking experience because you don't want to be "dinged" but you do want to share something coherent to introduce yourself to the mission. We both had Church Service Missionaries this week. My student was very knowledgeable about family history and computers. John's student didn't know how to type and had no experience with family history but we both had a really good experience with them. They will be serving in the Church History Zone.

Friday was a memorable. We provided watermelon chunks and cherries for the morning break. John gave the spiritual thought for the zone devotional on prayer. He shared some personal experiences, read some words from favorite hymns, then beautifully sang "Secret Prayer." In the afternoon I accompanied Naomi Jergensen singing "Lord, Make Me an Instrument of thy Peace" for the new missionary luncheon. She is in her late 70's and still has a magnificent soprano voice reaching high A with power.

The most fun part of Friday was lunch with Kristilyn, Grant, and James. They absolutely charmed everyone. They loved looking out the window on to the Plaza to see the "big waterfall" and the "little waterfall." We had lunch outside near the Brigham Young statue and they were fascinated with the trucks, trains, and birds. It started to rain so we went back inside the JSMB Family History Center where they had a children's area with toys and activities. We are so happy when we have visitors. Our lunch hour is 11:30 to 12:30 so that is an ideal time to stop by.

Desi and Mike, we were delighted with the cute clips that you put on your blog of Mordecai walking and Emily at ballet class. They are precious! We appreciate the way that all of you keep in contact with us and with one another.

Last Sunday we had a special visit with Keith, Kim, Talisa, and Kira. Talisa and Kira look very much alike. Babies bring a beautiful spirit with them because they so recently came from heaven.

Saturday I took more of Sister Sandell's family names to the temple to do sealings. She is going home in a couple of weeks to Canada and will be five hours from a temple. I went at the regular time for our ward sealing group and there was just me and the sealer. Eventually they were able to get people to help so the work was done and it was a very spiritual experience. The blessings are waiting for anyone who will participate, but we have to do our part. In the afternoon I played for Joseph Fullmer's (age 8) baptism. His family are missionaries to the Spanish Branch from South Jordan and his father was ordained a high priest last Sunday.

Getting two new temples in Salt Lake Valley is providing lots of growing experiences for everyone. Scheduling workers is an enormous challenge. There were 6000 workers at the Jordan River Temple, then about 1400 went to the Draper Temple and another 600-700 will go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Many more workers are needed to staff the temples. Keith and Kim, which temple district will you be in?

A cold front has moved into the valley and there might be snow at the top of Parley's Canyon today. It is still spring in Utah where the weather changes quickly!

Truman Madsen died this week at age 82 after battling cancer for a year. He was a remarkable man and I remember vividly his words and the spirit he carried. Here is a quote from "Eternal Man" p. 41.

"Many of us in the modern world are prodigal sons. We have not only left home, we have forgotten it and the Father who still waits to unfold to us not only 'all that I have' but also, 'all that I am.'"

We love and appreciate each of you so very much. Continue to live in love and peace (whenever our energetic and demanding grandchildren will permit.)

Love,
Mom and Dad