The Week...

This week I just let life happen. Didn't keep a neat record of everything. I can report that each night as we went to bed, Claude and I reviewed each day and counted them each as good and well-lived. That is always a good feeling. So, to reconstruct this week for my Blog, I will use my eMails, my texts, my phone records, Facebook for me, our family and Claude, and my calendar and pictures. Whew! That is how easy it is to put together a basic outline of one's life. Here goes...

Sunday, June 19th, as we sat together in the evening, I brought my laptop into the study. We opened the tours page of our favorite travel agency and began to peruse it. We really wanted this to be the year we started traveling outside the United States again. We receive eMail's from our favorite tour group anytime they get a new tour together. We had several we were interested in. So, we sat together and read them. Well, most of them were already booked. We wouldn't be going to Iceland, Italy, or India this year. However, there was one more that tripped our trigger. We booked a trip in Manaus, Brazil. It felt good to finally have that one on the books.

Monday, June 20th, Claude started out early to build a tiny deck over a tree stump in our back yard. This has been a tricky thing for him. Our tree guy, John Zimmerman, was kind enough to level the top of this tree stump (which was really in multiple sections) last fall. Claude had gone out weeks ago and measured again and purchased the lumber he thought he would need. He had a newspaper diagram drawn and was ready to tackle this project. It was supposed to be a pentagram shape with uneven sides. When he finished, he had a trapezoid shape. When one does one of these things, one must be very flexible. You have to work with the lay of the ground, the shape of the tree stump, and the tree at the back of where you want this little deck. Claude spent almost all day on this project and did a masterful job. 

We wanted this to be a little feature in the backyard that grandmonsters would use for a little table or we might find the right decorative items to sit on it. Just to add another bit of uniqueness to our outdoor living room. This will do just that.

During the day I worked with Blake at the travel agency signing paperwork and getting the basic things ready for our Amazon trip.

At 5pm, the pest control company we have made a new contract with came out to do their first spreading of whatever it is they do. They sprayed inside at the doorways and in the bathroom and kitchen areas. Then outside he went and laid pellets and sprayed around the outside of the house and the shed. We were told to anticipate an increase in any insects we might have as they come for what they think is something tasty. Then it should settle down. 

 

Tuesday, June 21st, I made the flight arrangements for the Amazon trip and secured the travel insurance. Then I set to work making my Amazon grid. This really helps me get the details of the trip in my head. This trip is a little different. The travel agency gets us from the United States to Panama and then to Brazil. There we have a day in the port city. Then we have a cruise on the river where the ship sets the itinerary. Then we go back to the travel agency for the finish of the trip and the return home. It felt good to get all of that in one document for us to work from. 

Wednesday, June 22nd, our Bishop sent me a text asking me to speak in sacrament meeting. I asked him about the topic and he sent me a link to a talk by Elder David Bednar, one of the 12 Apostles. I love hearing Elder Bednar speak. His talk was about the spiritual gift of being Quick to Observe and and the spiritual gift of Discernment. Oh how happy I was to get this talk. I'll share some of it in the Sunday part of the Blog entry.

Thursday, June 23, I had an appointment with Dr. Hollen, my dentist, for a cleaning. All went very well. I did have one concern. My big front tooth that has an implant and is the base of one end of the implant bridge has felt different. I was a tiny bit concerned. We spent about a year getting these three teeth in the front of my mouth fixed and a LOT of money as we have no dental insurance. Dr. Hollen took x-rays and found that all looks good with the tooth. Thank Heavens!!

While I visited Dr. Hollen, Claude did errands. When I finished with Dr. Hollen, he was just pulling into the parking lot with a Mello Yello at the ready for his wife. Such a good hubby. We drove to Kroger and I actually went grocery shopping with Claude. During the pandemic, you were only allowed one family member to do the shopping. In our family, that was Claude. I would go and sit in the car but not go in. Claude had long before taken over the cooking. The result of all this is that Claude has done the grocery shopping. Often he would go while I visited Papa. That isn't happening now. So, I might just be grocery shopping with Claude again. When we finished, I asked him to tell me honestly if my being there slowed him down or if it helped. He was sure it was helpful. Now, I am sure it was helpful as I would walk back to the other side of the store to pick up something we missed when on that far side of the store. I am sure I got my walk in that day just doing the grocery shopping!!

In the afternoon, I downloaded the Myrtle Beach Travel Guide. We purchased 5-days at a friends condo in Myrtle Beach. Claude's brother and his wife are going to fly out and enjoy it with us. I wanted to go through the guide and get familiar with Myrtle Beach. I made a word document and started making notes on it of things I found in the guide. The plan was to get it to all four of us and we could each pick and choose what looked like fun. Then we could plot our trip with everyone getting a little of something they find fun. We are all about the same age. We are all very flexible. It will be so fun to enjoy this time with Cordell and Kris.

In the evening, Claude and I drove to watch the Florence Ya'lls play a ball game. Bless their hearts. The boys were not on their game. It turned out to be a very flat game. Beautiful night. Loved the fresh air and the food. It was a good evening but the game was a bit flat this time. Claude took these pictures.

Friday, June 24th, I woke up and checked my phone to find a message from Chase stating they thought someone got our credit card...again!! This happened last November. It seems like every six months this happens to us. Ugh!! Card was canceled. We identified two charges that were not us. Those were canceled. A new card will be on its way. Oh My, how I wish people used all that ingenuity to do good things instead of trying to steal from us. Ugh! Just ugh!!

On Thursday, I received a phone call as we were driving to the ball park reminding me I had an appointment with a doctor at my ophthalmologist office that I have never seen. I asked the person if it wasn't Dr. Richardson. Nope, it was this other doctor. Okay... Friday morning as I was waking up, Dr. Richardson's office called and asked if I didn't really see Dr. Richardson all the time. I assured them this was correct. They told me that if I could be there a half-hour earlier, they would get me in to see Dr. Richardson. Why yes! I could do that. So, I did. My eyes are doing well.  I can keep using my readers. Hallelujah! My left eye is a bit dry and I can handle that okay. And...the bonus was I didn't have to do that little test with the dots of light that I totally despise. Yippee!! I did get my eyes dilated. That is always a bit of fun.

I went home after this doctor appointment. My vision was fuzzy so I made my way back home to let my eyes go back to normal a bit. I found Claude in the garage detailing the Jeep in my parking spot.

I went inside and finished the novel I was reading.

When Claude finished, we sat on the patio while he rehydrated and rested a bit. Then he went to move the Jeep to his side of the garage and I headed out to do some errands. The grocery store did not have my face cream which necessitated a trip to Walmart to see if they had any. I picked up the things I needed in Walmart and also checked for clothing. Claude and figure we need light long pants and light long-sleeved shirts for walking in the Amazon forest. I found NO clothing at Walmart. I went to Kohl's and was able to find two pair of pants and a pair of capris. Then I went to Bon Worth and found a black dress I liked. It was fun to get this shopping done and have a measure of success.

When I returned home, Kris called to give me their flight information for the Myrtle Beach trip. We will be picking them up at the airport in Myrtle Beach. The most wonderful news was they plan on riding back to Kentucky with us and leaving from Kentucky to return home after a few days visit. So very happy about this. 

In the late afternoon I finished my notes from the Myrtle Beach Travel Guide. I eMailed those notes to Kris and printed them out for Claude and me. Then I set to work to prepare a Primary lesson and to finish my talk preparation. 

Saturday, June 25th, Claude chose the morning. When we went to bed the night before, he was very happy to tell me he had a plan for Saturday morning if it was alright with me. I woke up knowing I didn't have to think of anything. We got ready and Claude drove us to get a biscuit at Bojangles. Then off to Lexington. We went to Cabela's to shop for Claude some clothes for the Amazon trip. We wanted to get warm weather clothes now before they start putting out winter clothes for Kentucky. That is why all this clothes shopping now. We found shirts for us both and socks for Claude. Success!! Then Claude took us to Chipotle's for lunch. Yum!! Home again.

Claude took his nap and I set to work getting things ready for the next step in closing out Papa's finances. Then I finished up my Primary lesson and my talk. 

In the evening we decided to start an Indiana Jones Fest. We watched the first two of those movies. 

        

Sunday, June 26th, I gave my talk in sacrament meeting about the spiritual gift of being Quick to Observe and the spiritual gift of Discernment. Elder Bednar did a masterful job with his talk. He first explained that being Quick to Observe means looking and then obeying. Then he explained that being Quick to Observe is the antecedent to and is linked to the Spirit of Discernment. 

I will share two quotes by Apostles who served as counselors to presidents of the Church that Elder Bednar used in this talk. These quotes are about discernment. Most excellent.

QUOTE: Pres. George Q. Cannon. 

        “One of the gifts of the Gospel which the Lord has promised to those who enter into covenant with Him is the gift of discerning of spirits—a gift which is not much thought of by many and probably seldom prayed for; yet it is a gift that is of exceeding value and one that should be enjoyed by every Latter-day Saint. …

        “Now, the gift of discerning of spirits not only gives men and women who have it the power to discern the spirit with which others may be possessed or influenced, but it gives them the power to discern the spirit which influences themselves. They are able to detect a false spirit and also to know when the Spirit of God reigns within them. In private life this gift is of great importance to the Latter-day Saints. Possessing and exercising this gift they will not allow any evil influence to enter into their hearts or to prompt them in their thoughts, their words or their acts. They will repel it; and if perchance such a spirit should get possession of them, as soon as they witness its effects they will expel it or, in other words, refuse to be led or prompted by it.”

QUOTE: Pres. Stephen L Richards 

“First, I mention the gift of discernment, embodying the power to discriminate … between right and wrong. I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them. …

        “… Every member in the restored Church of Christ could have this gift if he willed to do so. He could not be deceived with the sophistries of the world. He could not be led astray by pseudo-prophets and subversive cults. Even the inexperienced would recognize false teachings, in a measure at least. … We ought to be grateful every day of our lives for this sense which keeps alive a conscience which constantly alerts us to the dangers inherent in wrongdoers and sin.”

How important it is for us to understand and seek after these two gifts in the world in which we now live. I loved this talk and appreciated the insight it gave to me for my life. Thanks Bishop Fairbanks for giving me this opportunity to study this talk and then share it with others.

I then taught the Primary class. These are the oldest kids in Primary. They are our rowdiest class. They are on that portion of their life journey where they want to be with the teenagers but they are really still kids. These kids are all very good kids. Some just like to push the envelope a bit. I was ready and Claude was there as my helper. I gave him a question to address for the kids the day before. He shared his answer and it was perfect. The kids lesson focused on praying to Heavenly Father constantly and letting the temple help us to walk uprightly before God. 

Claude took us to lunch at Jimmy John's. Then home so he could nap and I could Blog. 

Wow! I had more to say than I thought I would for this past week.

For the Love of an Old Tree...

During the storm last Friday, June 17th, we thought we escaped without any damage to our trees. Alas, such was not the case. When Claude was out looking at the back yard on Saturday, June 18th, he realized a branch was broken and hanging there dying. It would not come off without someone cutting it off and it was very high up in the tree. Now, this particular tree in our backyard is the enchanted fairy garden tree. We have all kinds of things on it and around it and hanging off of it. We thought it would last a bit longer. 

Sunday, June 19th, was Father's Day. We were up and to church in the morning. I played the organ then taught a Primary class. Claude was with the men the second hour who were all in the cultural hall enjoying strawberry shortcake and lemonade for Father's Day.

After Church, Claude had reservations for us at Montana Grill for a nice Father's Day dinner. The meal was yummy delicious. We do love this restaurant. Claude enjoyed a nice bison ribeye steak and I had my bison nachos. 

After our meal-of-the-day, we drove to Georgetown to Cracker Barrel to try their biscuit beignets for dessert. Oh My Heavens!! These things are so good. We ordered each of us an order. As we ate, I told Claude we could probably order one in the future and share it. My hubby looked across the table at me and declared he really could eat one by himself. Now, I have the sweet tooth in this marriage. Claude, not so much. We laughed at his desire for this particular sweet treat. Really good folks, really good.

When we got home, there was a crew from a company cutting down branches from trees in Catherine's yard and other yards on our street. I marched myself right over to them and asked if they might cut a limb down from a tree in our yard. Justin walked to our backyard with me and looked at the situation. He offered to do it then and there for a price I found very reasonable. I went in and told Claude to write the check. Justin and his crew finished up what they were working on and then came to our back yard. One of the men had on the kinds of spikes my father used to climb telephone poles in. He climbed up the tree and cut that limb and a few others around it. Fascinating to watch. I asked him if he like to climb trees as a boy. He grinned and then shared that he and friends loved to climb the pine trees on their property as boys. Yep, he was a tree climber from way back. 

These three pictures are of the broken branch in the tree before it was cut down.

Here are a few pictures of this brave fellow climbing way up in our tree and cutting those branches.

We love this old tree. It is mostly hollow on the inside. After talking with Justin, and finding another branch over our shed that is very compromised, we determined we would go ahead and cut the tree down. Not all the way. Just to where the tree branches out into two sections. This part will stand for many years. It will allow us to leave the enchanted fairy things all over the base of the tree. Justin will come back in a couple of weeks to take the tree down. More picture then I am sure.

Claude and I are already talking about possibilities for placing a birdhouse on top of the tree trunk after the top is cut down. We'll see what our old brains can come up with.

Hayden Came for a Visit...

There are things we do in life that have deep meaning to children. When we first moved to Kentucky, we had a lovely home on a hill in Sadieville. We determined one tradition we wanted to start was Camp Christensen each summer. This would be a week with us and our grandmonsters. We would plan a week full of activities, outings, good food, and lots of hugs and love with Claude, me and our grandmonsters. We did really well at this for several years and built lots of memories. 

Then, an ex-son-in-law determined his kids could no longer participate. Not sure what his reasons were but it threatened to end this delightful time with our grandmonsters. For a couple of years, we still held Camp Christensen with the two youngest grandmonsters. Then, it morphed into alternating sleepovers in the summer with Hayden and Bailey. We would pick up one of them and have them with us for a few days filling that time with things they enjoyed doing. Then we would return that child and take the other for a few days filling that time with things they enjoyed. 

A few years ago, those Mini's started going to camps and things during the summer making much less time in their short summers for these sleepovers. Then the pandemic hit and you weren't allowed to do that due to quarantining restrictions. Last year we were in the middle of a move in the summer and it didn't work out. However, Hayden was emphatic he would be the first one to sleepover in our new home. And, he was. 

This summer, Hayden asked if we could do that tradition where he got to come and stay at our home. Andie and I compared calendars and found this week with days open for Hayden and us to have time together. Tuesday evening, June 14th, Claude started our day with a trip to pick up groceries. You see, we have a list of food Hayden likes when he comes to our Lord of the Rings moviefest on New Year's Eve. That is what he wanted on this visit. When Claude returned home, I sent this picture to Hayden with a text that read "Are you ready? Pack your things! We pick you up tonight."

Claude and I went to the Louisville Temple which is minutes from the Marx home. After we finished our sessions there at 8pm, we drove directly to the Marx home and scooped up Hayden and brought him home with us. He would stay until Saturday, June 18th.

Wednesday, June 15th, would be our first full day with Hayden. Hayden has to be the easiest kid in the world to have over. He loves to roam until into the wee small hours of the morning. He doesn't mind doing this if we go on to bed. That means he sleeps in late giving us the morning to do things we want to get done while he sleeps. Sometime in the afternoon he wakes up and we begin our time together. Wednesday, he went to bed at 4am because there was a show on YouTube he really wanted to see. That meant he slept until about 3pm. Since this is his vacation, we let him set the schedule and do as he pleases. Wednesday Claude and I were able to do our reading together, I cleaned out the armrest in my car and the plastic dresser in our bathroom linen closet. Hayden wanted to make a trip to Chick-filA for dinner. We did that and then returned to watch two movies he brought to share with us. We watched the new version of West Side Story and 1917. I must confess, neither of these are movies I would have chosen on my own to watch. But I enjoyed them and enjoyed having Hayden share them with Claude and me. We would lighten our evening with a Dirty Job's with Mike Rowe. Then Claude and I were off to bed and Hayden was up to his own devices. 

Claude placed the order for us at Chick-filA. They asked for his name and he forgot to use Thor. He told them his name was Claude. When we got our food at the table, Hayden noticed an unusual spelling of Claude's name. This is why he uses Thor!!

I sent a text to Jacob on this day stating, "For my English major son. Gave me a chuckle."

Thursday, June 16th, Hayden would go to bed about 2am and wake up about 1pm. I was awake at 8:30am. I had a plant that needed planting and we were having a record breaking heat wave. I got dressed and went into our back yard. I would take things back to the shed that needed to be put away. Get decorations for the front yard out of the shed and take them out front. Bring the decorations from the front yard back to the shed with me. Get my gardening bag out of the shed and plant the new plant. Then proceed to weed the flower beds in our yard. After a little over an hour in the heat, I was ready for some inside time to cool down and rehydrate. Claude was awake. We did our reading. I cut Claude's hair. Then I sat down to begin my final Anne book, "Anne of the Island". Hayden wanted grilled burgers this day. Claude grilled amazing hamburgers. Hayden used the air fryer and made French fries. Claude also made a salad. It was an absolutely delicious dinner. This evening, Hayden had the movie "Lawrence of Arabia" for us to watch. I don't think I have ever watched this award winning epic movie. It is almost 4 hours long. It was a true story and we enjoyed it. 

Friday, June 17th, I woke up and got ready to head to the Church. I had been invited to substitute playing the organ on Father's Day and needed to practice. Here is where I will share a tender experience. 

I went to the Church. I was the only one there. I unlocked the door and then made sure it was locked behind me. Then I proceeded to the chapel, turned on the lights and got out my music. I wrote the hymns on a postette and put it on the music stand part of the organ. Then I set the stops for the opening hymn. 

As I played the opening hymn, I realized it was "O My Father". This is a hymn my father sang to my mother when they were dating those three days. After Papa finished singing it to Mimi, she looked at him and said, "That is what I believe." Papa was always so happy that Mimi had a testimony from the very first of their relationship and remained steadfast throughout her life. This was the reason Papa insisted that we sing this hymn at Mimi's funeral. I usually sing along when I play the organ. I tried to sing all the verses to this hymn and found tears rolling freely down my cheeks. 

When I finished practicing the hymns, I opened the prelude book I had chosen and set my stops for prelude music. Then I started to play. As I played this book, which is a series of hymns, I realized all the music we used for Papa's funeral was part of this prelude book. I had the warmest feeling as though someone were in the chapel with me. It was not a frightening feeling. It was warm and friendly. I looked up and noticed the box of tissues on the pulpit. I thought maybe that was what I was feeling and seeing. I went back to playing. Then I felt this feeling again and looked out at the congregational seating. There were my mother and father standing together with smiles on their faces. I finished playing with my parents looking on. It was sweet and tender in a way that is hard to express in words. Since Papa's passing, I have had a hard time seeing he and my mother together in my mind's eye. I knew they were together, but I couldn't visualize it. Seeing them in the chapel and having them with me for a brief moment, gave me such comfort and peace. I am ever so grateful for these tender mercies in my life. They confirm the awareness my Heavenly Father has for me and his personal attention to my life. I finished up and went home to read with Claude. 

We kept receiving weather alerts on our phones. The morning weather simply stated we could have scattered thunderstorms in the morning and afternoon. Surprise, surprise, surprise. As these thunderstorms approached they were widespread and could include hail and damaging winds. Claude and I watched our little tree in our front yard bend over time and again as the rain and winds beat on it. The neighbor ascross the street have a bigger tree. It was also blowing very far over. I sure was grateful I went early to the Church and was home with my car in the garage when all this came. 

When it was over, Claude went to the mailbox. It turns out our neighbor, Catherine, did not fare as well.

Hayden woke up after the storm. We determined we would go to Culver's for dinner. This would be Hayden's breakfast! After a nice meal at Culver's, we went home and found Catherine trying to deal with her tree. I went over but she was not answering her door and her garage door was closed. I called her and left a voice message that we would be happy to help her with her tree. Catherine called back and went over. Claude cut the tree from the stump and we moved it to Catherine's driveway. Then Claude cut off some branches for her. 

When we got home, Claude made us a roaring fire in the new firepit. Hayden wanted 'smores. So, we had a 'smore each. Then we watched till the fire burned down and Claude put the lid on the fire pit. That is a loving Grampa to go to all that trouble to fulfil something on Hayden's wish list. 

Hayden had one final movie he brought for us to watch. It was The Imagination Game. It was a good movie but one that rattles the emotions. I had to congratulate Hayden on this trip. He brought four good movies I would never have chosen on my own. And, he picked great meals for our dinners.

Saturday, June 18th, we left Hayden sleeping in. We would attend the viewing and funeral of the son of a friend from Church, Ashton Brown. Saturday morning the 11th, a family went into his room to wake him. After shaking him several times, they realized he had passed away quietly during his sleep. Ashton had an enlarged heart and it had caused his liver and spleen (I believe) to also enlarge, resulting in his passing. This was totally unexpected by the family. Ashton participated in sports, had just returned from a boys camp with Church the week previous to his passing, had plans to attend FSY Conference the week after his passing. No clue he would not do these things. The family gave the talks and the service was very well done. Each of his three sisters shared memories of Ashton. I felt this might help them deal with his passing. Difficult to do but may have been a blessing for these girls. The mother gave the eulogy and the dad gave a final talk. I loved that Ashton had his sunglasses on top of his head in his casket. It was good to support this sweet family.

We returned home just as Hayden was waking up. Time to pack the boy up and take him home. He selected lunch at Zaxby's in Frankfort on the way home. Andie would meet us in Shelbyville to pick him up. I told Andie it was a delight to have him around. I could sit on the love seat and read and Hayden would fold up in the red rocking chair and work his cellphone magic. It was just pleasant to look at each other and grin. We are running out of these opportunities with him as he will be a senior this fall, getting a job, and then off on his life adventure. Grateful for this week with Hayden.

Claude and I returned home and decided it was time for an Eagles Concert. Claude picked the DVD and we curled up in front our television to enjoy good music together. When it was finished, I received a text I might need to teach a Primary class on Sunday. Off I went to Sandiland to prepare a lesson. Then, time for bed.

It was a good week with Hayden.

Backtracking: 

On Saturday, June 11th, Hayden participated in a driving school offered by Ford. I am assuming this is because they have a Ford plant near their home and this is one good way that Ford gives back to the community. This course was free and afforded Hayden the opportunity to drive a Mustang. They had to make it do tight circles so that it spun out and they learned to correct that. This will be invaluable training when the ice storms come. They also had one point with lots of distractions, people talking, phones going off, music playing. All so you learned how to drive with these distractions. They even had one car which simulated how you would drive if you were a might intoxicated. Hayden did well with this entire course.

Sunday, June 12th, Katelyn posted this picture on our family Facebook page. It is Joel in the t-shirt the Marx family sent for his 1st birthday. The Ropers have called Joel 'The Potato' most of his life. Andie found this great t-shirt that fits him perfectly. It says, "Respect the Potato". Joel wears it well.

Time Together...

Fifty-two years. What does life look like after 52 years together? These last three days have been a reflection of the quietness that enters when you have been together that long, the kids are grown and on their own, and you are truly empty nesters.

Sunday, June 12th, we enjoyed church in the morning. Then we picked up lunch at Panera Bread and enjoyed a nice lunch together at our dining room table. Claude went to bed for his nap. I stripped the guest bedroom bed and started washing those linens while I went to Sandiland to work on paperwork and my Blog. After Claude woke up and I finished my work in Sandiland, I went to bake two cakes and also sit in the study while Claude worked away at his laptop. He is to create a sacrament meeting program about music and its importance. I was giving him suggestions of places music is mentioned in the scriptures, I suggested he use the preface in the hymnbook as it is full of good background information as well as the purpose of music in our church meetings, I also shared a story with him that I hold dear to me. I will share that now.

In about 1973, I was very pregnant with Andie, our middle child. The Air Force had us living in Southern California. I was called to serve on the Stake Relief Society board. In those days, before General Conference in April and October, there was a leadership training session held in Salt Lake City for those serving on Stake Relief Society Boards. I was able to attend this. Claude and our firstborn, Nissa, stayed at his parents in Northern Utah. I was in Salt Lake City with the rest of the ladies on our board. In the final session, a General Authority (I do not remember which one) gave a talk and in that talk he said we should learn and memorize the words of the hymns. If we did that, they would be recalled to give us strength and answers and lift us as we lived our lives. That comment touched my heart as important for me. As we sang the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" the third verse was particularly powerful to me. It became my response to the General Authorities challenge and is a treasure to me every since. The words are:

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, 

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

There is a scripture in the Old Testament that repeats this same message and it is found in Isaiah 41:10. 

At the end of Sunday, we had not turned on the television, I read some in the most recent Liahona magazine, we shared thoughts for this sacrament meeting, and truly enjoyed a quiet evening together.

Monday, June 13th, I had errands and Claude had errands. I also needed new Sunday shoes. We decided to do our errands together and then go to Lexington so I could shop for Sunday shoes and we could have dinner together at a place we don't have in Georgetown. We got up and out the door.

First we delivered two cakes and a thank you note to the nursing home. I baked pudding cakes Sunday afternoon. One was chocolate with banana pudding and the other was lemon with lemon pudding. Then we went to Johnson's Funeral Home. Papa's death certificates were in and I needed to pick them up. Next we went to the dry cleaners to get Claude's shirts. Then on to Sally's Beauty Supply for a couple of items I needed. They are like so many other businesses today. Their supply chain is weak. So many things they used to have, they can't get. This is a result of the Covid pandemic. It is that way for everything. Next we went to Lowe's to look for tile to edge the step up on our patio. We found some natural stone that we liked and purchased that and the supplies to apply that to the outside of this step. We also purchased another flowering plant for our back yard. When we returned from Michigan, one of our plants died. Not sure why. The other is in great shape. We had intended to go on to Lexington, but with our unusual heat wave, we couldn't leave that new plant in the car. So we headed back to our home to leave our purchases. 

Then, back in the Jeep we got and decided to start looking for me some Sunday shoes at Fayette Mall. This is an area we avoid like the plague. But I had been casually looking for new Sunday shoes for a good while. What I was realizing is they don't make my kind of shoe anymore. Several years ago, I purchased a pair of black heels that were not too tall and the heel was a wedge heel with a sandal-like top. I loved these black shoes so much, I went back to that store and purchased a tan pair and an off-white pair. I have worn these for years. This is what I wanted again. Alas, I could not find them anywhere. 

Bless Claude's heart. He cheerfully drove me to Lexington to this very busy mall area in the extreme heat. We decided to start our search at Dillard's. I like Dillard's but really don't know the layout of the store well, so I wasn't sure which door to go in. Claude picked one. I told him the door he chose was right near the food court. If this was really too much for him, he could go there with his trusty cell phone and find something to munch on and read all his stuff while I searched for shoes in Dillard's and then the mall if necessary. Fortunately, Claude parked right by the door into the shoe section. Claude found a comfortable chair in the shoe section and made himself to home while I roamed through the shoes.

Dillard's had lots and lots and lots of shoes. Of all the hundreds of styles of shoes, I found only one that would work for me. Hallelujah. The nice lady brought me two sizes in a black and a tan version. I tried both sizes in both colors and settled on the one that would work best for me. Then I purchased two pair of new Sunday shoes. It must have been the right time and place to do this shopping. When I finished, Claude agreed to sit with my new shoes while I went looking to see if they had any capris. Alas, I found none. 

We then drove to Schlotzky's and had a wonderful dinner together. That original Schlotzky is the best. 

Home we went and enjoyed another quiet evening together. Claude had recorded a show about the history of Bluegrass Music. We watched that and then a couple of Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs. Lovely evening together.

Tuesday, June 14th, has been a 'divide and conquer' morning. Claude went to the grocery store, picked up prescriptions and filled my car with gasoline. I washed our bed linens and worked on my laptop. This afternoon at 3pm we will leave for Louisville with a stop in Frankfort for dinner. Our evening will be spent in the Louisville Temple. So looking forward to this opportunity. We have had reservations twice and had to cancel it for health and other issues. Tonight, it will happen. After we finish at the Temple, we will drive to the Marx home and pickup Hayden. He wants to come to our home for a few days. How cool is that! Claude bought his favorite food list this morning. I think we are all ready to enjoy the rest of our week with our grandmonster.

That is how life rolls for two empty nesters in their early 70's. Filling it with good things and taking it at a pace that doesn't undo either of us. I like that. I like that a lot.

Primary Boot Camp 2022

Every year the Primary organization at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has a summer activity for the kids that are 8 years of age and older in Primary. This year our theme was Boot Camp. The word BOOT stood for Build Our Own Testimony. It was a delightful morning with these youth and leaders and parent volunteers. 

Everyone was given a t-shirt and dog tags as they arrived and were welcomed to Boot Camp. Jessie Rayburn, our president, was in charge and wore a whistle and had every intention of acting the role of a drill sergeant. Alas, that is just not in our nature to yell at the kids. These are pictures of the kids arriving, being given their t-shirt and dog tags and mingling till start time.

Our camp had four stations which each child would attend and participate. The kids were divided in two groups. The first two stations we would each teach twice, once to each group. Then we would have a water break of 15 minutes for the kids. 

I was invited to teach one of the stations. It was the Title of Liberty based on the story of Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon in Alma. I told the story of Captain Moroni by reading from the Book of Mormon, defining the big words, and having the kids focus on what Moroni wanted the Nephites to remember, how he got them to remember, and what Heavenly Father wanted them to remember. We reenacted this story. Then the kids made their own Title of Liberty based on Moroni's Title of Liberty or things they knew Heavenly Father wanted them to remember. After our craft, we returned to our chairs and read about Captain Moroni's characteristics and talked about how they could be characteristics we wanted to develop in us as we try to be good disciples of Jesus Christ. Then we looked at the BOOT = Build Your Own Testimony and talked about how Captain Moroni's story can help us build our own testimonies. 

The other station held while I was teaching Title of Liberty was the Relay Station. Janick Stephenson led this station. They would memorize a scripture while running relay races. Time to use up some energy. Since I was teaching at the same time, I didn't get to observe this one and these photos were taken by others who did get to see this station.

After the 15 minute water break, we held the last two stations. They were also each taught twice, once for each group of kids. I was to help in the First Aid station. This was taught by Jessie Rayburn, our president, and focused on Repentance. She used Robert as the example and the kids each took a Band-Aid out of her first aid kit with a problem on it. They then helped to explain how Robert could repent using the four steps of repentance. The four steps the kids were following were: feel sorry, ask forgiveness, right the wrong and don't repeat. They started calling the feel sorry "guilt gut". They should have no problem remembering that first step. 

The fourth station was an Obstacle Course. We didn't have a sign for this one as it was to be outside in the parking lot. However, we had a little rain so it was moved to the Young Women's room and the foyer on that side of the building. I was helping with the First Aid station so I didn't get to see all of this. The first pictures were taken by someone else. I did sneak away and took a couple of pictures of the end of the obstacle course. There was a blue tarp representing a body of water. The kids were to get across this imaginary body of water without touching the water. The point was they had to have help to do this. They ended up with a skate board and a member of the bishopric helped them balance and pulled them across the water. This was to teach them that we all need help to get through the challenges of our lives. 

That concluded all four stations. Time for lunch and then closing. Lunch was set up by Christian Cash. She is our first counselor in the presidency. Lunch was set to resemble a mess hall. The kids lined up in the hallway. Then they entered the cultural hall and were given a Styrofoam tray. They pass down the chow line and we, the primary presidency, served them their lunch. They had to take what we gave them. Once they got to the table they were free to talk and trade items of food they might not want. They had 30 minutes to eat.

After lunch, I was asked to give a closing sum up of our Boot Camp. I reminded the kids that our theme for the morning was BOOT Camp. I asked them what BOOT stood for. They all knew. So we said it out loud together, Build Our Own Testimony. Then I asked them what they had learned in the four stations that would help them build their testimonies. I had goose bumps as the kids shared what they learned that morning. They got it. They really got it! Then I shared that their testimony was a very important thing. When they face the difficulties that life throws in our path, if we have a firm testimony, belief, it will keep us on solid ground. It will not take away difficult things. It will and does help us to stay strong as we endure well that which we are called to endure. Then I told them what their and my testimony was about: a belief and understanding they are a child of their Heavenly Father, a belief and understanding the Jesus Christ suffered and died to make Atonement for each of us and that Atonement touches us in everything we do, a belief that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true in all its doctrines and principles. 

Then we presented each child with a certificate of completion of Boot Camp, and an award based on a candy theme that was unique for each child, and their Title of Liberty. After this we took group pictures.

This was a really good activity. Today at Church, parents were thanking us for the good experience their little ones had Saturday. It was a real privilege to participate and help with this activity. Covid took one year of this away. Last year was a year to start it again and I was not serving in Primary for that one. This year, it was back in a good swing for the event. So happy this turned out well and the kids participated so well.