Bursting Into Spring - March 2018

We have had some unusual weather patterns. It can be 70 degrees and sunny and the next day windy and in the 40's. I am anxiously waiting for spring to burst. 

 This blustery month of March has flown by quickly with many activities. I started out the month with a beautiful luncheon with my High School friends. We usually try to meet monthly, but I don't always get to go so this was an extra sweet moment. These are my close friends for over 55 years. It's amazing how we still are just the same, and if you were with us, you would see that we haven't changed a bit except for age and size. 

 Our Jordan River Temple now has an open house. It started on March 17th and will go to April 28th. Here anyone can come and go through and view this beautiful sacred building. We have been serving as volunteer ushers at this open house. It has been a particular extra moment for us. 
 On Sunday, May 20th this building will be dedicated and set apart for temple ordinances and marriage sealings. This is an exceptional work that we do for our ancestors. We feel that this marvelous edifice is the Lord's house. When we enter this building after the dedication, we are walking where our Savior has walked. It is His house. You can read my thoughts on this beautiful temple here. 

On Saturday, March 10th we were assigned to provide a Stake Presidency dinner for 22 individuals. We only had a few days to get this dinner together. We had our incredible Stake Presidency and staff and their wives along with two General Authorities of our Church. This year we had an Elder Brian K. Taylor and Elder Hansen. It was a privilege to put this dinner on.  Three glitches concerned us, but overall it went very well. It was delightful to serve them dinner. 

The next day our beloved Stake Presidency was released; President Terry R. Sorenson, President Scott Beech, and President Craig Martin. Our new Stake Presidency is the following: President Timothy McCoy, 1st Councilor, President Craig Martin, 2nd Councilor,  President Glen Walbeck. 

 During this month, our Relief Society organization holds a Birthday celebration to commemorate it's beginning. We are one of the largest women's organizations in the world. Each of our ward or units holds a special dinner and program. As the Stake Relief Society Presidency, we attend as many of these programs as we can. Here are just a few photos of two of these events. Each ward chooses their own theme and decorates and has a plan around these ideas. 

 On March 21st, our son James, Amber and their two daughters; Taylor Jo and Averi came down from Idaho to spend some time with us. It was extra special because our Granddaughter Alyssa, whose family are living with us turned 14 years old. We were able to celebrate her birthday while they were here. The children all went swimming and then later on in the evening we had a Birthday dinner, presents, and cake. It was such a fun night of celebrating. 
We had an excellent visit with them all. All of the adults spent time just talking with one another. There was no technology interfering with good old fashion conversations. 

Next, on our list of fun activities, we celebrated the 1st birthday of our youngest Great Granddaughter, Katalina.  We went to her home and observed this spectacular moment with her family and their friends. Our oldest son Sean, Mary and their children; Gillian, Jackson, Joseph, Jonathan, Jeffery, and Joshua were there, also. Our little Katalina was so cute and had a great time opening presents with her mother's help and getting into the cake idea. We took tons of photos of this special event. 

On Saturday, March 31st our youngest daughter, Tiffani, Dave and their children; Michael, Sarah, Kaitlyn, and William came to stay for two weeks. I will share the details on this one in a few days. We did have an excellent April start. 

Saturday started our Easter Weekend with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 188th Semi-annual General Conference. Saturday we watched the conference proceedings from our own family room. It was a historical conference with some significant changes. We sustained a new Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson and his two councilors, President Dallen H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. We also sustained two new Apostles. Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares. It was a very spiritual moment of time, and then we were much edified by many beautiful messages from our leader. You can read more about it here. And here.

It has been a spectacular month of activities. We love all of our family get to gathers and the other events that we have been involved with. It's been a lovely start to our spring.