NOVEMBER 2024 - GRATITUDE, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FOOD

 

November was filled with many projects and service helping family and getting ready for Winter around the house.  We had many adventures but they were all at home - we did not have to travel to experience all of the crazy things that happened this month.  

FAMILY

Joshua had a few days of vacation time from work and came for a visit.  We always enjoy having him home.  It was a 12 hour drive from Portland to Lindon.  

We filled the Tuesday with all things Brazil.  We had lunch at Tuscano's to celebrate Emily's Birthday and Veteran's Day.  They each got a free meal and Russ and I enjoyed being with them to celebrate Emily and to honor Joshua as a Veteran.  I had a Church activity that night so Russ and Josh went to In -N-Out Burgers - it had been three years since Josh had eaten a burger from there and it was on his list of things to do.  Portland does not have very many chain restaurants and he was missing a good burger.  

Wednesday we took the Front Runner Train to Salt Lake City and went to The LEONARDO MUSEUM.  We had never been to this museum and our neighbor had extra tickets and gave them to us.  The current exhibits were Flight and AI.  I did not know that Leonardo Da Vinci was more than a painter.  He also made important discoveries in mathematics, anatomy, engineering, cartography, sculpture, botany, and geology.  It took the courage to challenge assumptions and combine familiar ideas in surprising new ways.  Although ahead of their time and the available technology, Leonardo's ideas for human flight demonstrate his willingness to pursue ideas other thought crazy.  "Even in our highly specialized world, Innovation has always required creative connections across seemingly unrelated fields.  The Leonardo believes this is still how innovation works and that Utah is home to many modern "Leonardos", waiting to be discovered.  

Josh enjoyed flying an airplane on the flight simulator - he chose to fly over Mt. Saint Helens - an area he has driven around and hiked many times.  

The AI room was amazing.  It was a multi-media experience with beautiful pictures and information telling about the good and bad of AI.  

It ended with PEACE - something I seek daily and pray for always.

"A state of tranquility and harmony characterized by the absence of conflict and violence.  It embodies mutual understanding, cooperation, and the resolution of disputes through diplomacy, fostering a stable and inclusive environment for individual and collective well-being."

AI has limitations - it is filled with knowledge and facts but currently has no feeling - no heart.  It is only through Jesus Christ that we can find the PEACE that is described above.  I am so grateful to know that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.  

We ended the day with Dinner at Pitada Brazil - This is Joshua's favorite Brazilian restaurant.  They serve homestyle food and we all love it. It is owned by a Brazilian family and when Josh knew how to pronounce the names of the foods they asked if he had served a mission in Brazil.  They then started talking to him in Portuguese.  It was a fun experience.  

This little corner in my home defines Joshua perfectly.  He arrived with his Texas hat, two pairs of his hand made boots and his new hobby - Drone.  A special treat was giving him one of my Dad's legendary hats - he enjoys wearing dress hats and looks really nice in it.  This picture says a lot about Josh.  

EMILY'S 41st BIRTHDAY!

Emily invited a few friends over to celebrate and I made her favorite Red Velvet cake.  

She is amazing as she pushes through a lot of pain, works out daily to take care of self both body and mind, and manages her home and children as a fierce loving momma.  

BALLROOM DANCE COMPETITION SEASON BEGINS!

Preslee is in her second year of Ballroom and we really enjoy watching her competitions.  She has a great partner (he is the quarterback on the school team and is not sure he will stay with ballroom) and they really dance beautifully together.  They received a Gold at this competition.  

Preslee in formation

PAM'S PLACE

Last month we helped my Sister move out of her Condo and this month we helped her to get her new home ready for move-in day and the move.  We built new shelves for two closets, installed shelves in the linen closet, installed two additional kitchen cabinets, delivered an additional kitchen cabinet, desk and bathroom cabinet and installed tub/shower safety rails.  The move went really good and she is getting settled in her new home.  

I wish I was a little closer - just an hour away - but I don't get up to see her as much as I would like.  We both stay busy with life and cherish our time together.

Pam at new home

FALL CLEANUP AND HOUSE PROJECTS

Russ and I worked really hard in the yard and took 4 truck loads of the piles of brush and tree branches collected over the summer to the city cleanup dumpsters.  We just about filled the whole dumpster with our trees.  Get me a chain saw and big things happen.  We are ready for Winter except for the forever falling leaves!

The Bathroom project for Emily continues to be the elephant in the room.  We worked really hard to have the bathroom finished by the 15th of November before the Holidays began.  We got the shower walls tiled and grouted and they are beautiful.  I began working on tiling the floor.  The more I got into it we realized the shower pan was not installed correctly.  I had to tear out what I had done and try to fix the drain problem.  I let the mud dry and then continued the floor.  When it was all done - a 3 ft. by 8 ft. area - it was clear it was not right.  At 7:30 pm the plumber called and said he was on his way to finish his job.  He came and put the shower fixtures in and installed the tub and fixtures.  WHOOPS!  He had measured wrong for the drain and then installed the bath tub backwards.  He said he would come back and make it right - two weeks later and he still has not come back.  He looked at the shower floor and said it would not work and we had to remove all of the tile - a really hard job because I did a really good job installing - it was going to last many years.  I have not been able to even think about the shower the past two weeks.  We still need to figure out how to fix the problem and then Emily needs to pick out new flooring.  It might have to be a project for the cold days of January.  The first day of having the bathtub working we had another disaster.  WATER is not our friend in this house.  There is a flaw in the design of the new fixture and the water to the hand held fixture did not completely turn off and was on all night.  We woke up the next morning to water coming through the ceiling in the kitchen - YES, the very same spot the original problem began December of 2022 when the whole bathroom was torn apart to find the leak.  The ceiling was finally repaired about 6 months ago and now it was raining water again.  So, the bathroom continues to be a work in progress and we hope the new year brings completion and on to other projects.  

Our Son-in-law Andrew has been a Professional Santa for the past 10+ years and continues this Season.  He has already had several gigs and he saves his vacation time from work to use for his busy schedule in December.  He is so good at spreading the magic of Christmas.  

I finally updated my Grandkids wall after 5 years - they have all grown up and I only had a few of their pictures.  It is so nice seeing these new pictures and having them all there.  

FRIENDS

BUNCO NIGHT

Emily and I hosted the Bunco group this month.  It was a festive night and so fun to share our home and food.  We had 11 women for a dinner of Chicken Bundles, Roasted Butternut squash, Asparagus, Fall Pear Cranberry lettuce salad and Pumpkin cake roll for dessert.  Emily put together really festive gifts with festive decorative glass decanters filled with spiced and dried fruits that you fill the decanter with hot water, steep overnight and add to sparkling water.  They were a big hit.  

CUMORAH FAMILY

Sunday evening we hosted a gathering of former students and staff from our Cumorah experience who are currently living in Utah.  It was a really special evening meeting new spouses, future spouses, family and just being together again.  We had Yevheniia (Ginger) from Ukraine and her husband, Ryker from Kentucky, Cami (staff member) and her brother, Logan, Jenna (staff member) and her fiance' David from Ecuador, Nikky from El Salvador and Mariia from Ukraine and her new husband Yohan from Brazil both Cumorah students.  

It was fun having them experience a little more American culture and foods.  We had cream cheese stuffed Pork Loin, Maple Roasted Butternut squash, Green Beans, Fall Green Salad with apples and pomegranate and homemade bread.  We ended the meal with a choice of Pumpkin Roll and Gluten Free Chocolate cream pie.  The Chocolate Pie is a family favorite but I made a new gluten free crust that was amazing.  I will share recipe at the end.  

German Chocolate Cream Pie

Our experience at Cumorah was life changing.  We have been so blessed to know people from all over the world and to call them family.  We have watched lives change as they felt Love and the knowledge that we are all children of God who loves each one of us from whatever country we come from.  Ginger was asked to write her story for our Church magazine the LIAHONA.  It was published in the December issue and I would like to share it with you.  

THE FREEDOM TO  CHOOSE CHRIST by Yevheniia (Ginger) Zinchenko Webb

When I was a baby, I was baptized into the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.  Growing up, the fact that I never made the choice to be baptized unsettled me.  I started to think that religion didn't allow me the freedom to choose for myself.  So I eventually stopped believing in God or anything spiritual.  One day, I was talking to my friend who was in Czechia doing a study program affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She invited me to do the program too.  I wasn't interested originally, but after a while, I decided to check it out.

I liked the school's overall message of positivity, so I gave in and applied.  But I had no interest in the program's focus on Jesus Christ.  Or so I thought.

FEELING CONFLICTED

This academy made me live differently than I was used to.  First, I learned that I wasn't allowed to drink coffee on campus!  My freedom was already slipping through my fingers.

Along with that, every morning started with a mandatory devotional.  I would mostly sleep through them because I wasn't interested.  I was just there to learn and then live my life the way I wanted to.

But after a while, I noticed the people around me who were taking Jesus Christ's teachings seriously.  In Ukraine, many people only went to church a few times a year, but here, everyone was always talking about Christ.  They were kind, good, and positive about life.

I started to wonder what my life would be like if I believed in Him too.  Sometimes I even caught myself thinking, "What would Jesus's perspective be?"

WAS THIS REAL?

I felt confused.  I told one of my friends at the academy about how I was feeling torn.  He invited me to try praying about my feelings.  

On one foggy morning, I decided to find a quiet place to meditate outside.  I don't know what came over me, but instead of meditating, I gave God the benefit of the doubt.  I said, "OK, let's talk."

And I said the longest prayer of my life.

I just wanted to know if God and Jesus Christ were real.

As I was praying, the sun pierced through the fog.  I felt its warmth on my skin and warmth in my heart.  I felt like someone's hand was on my shoulder, telling me They were right there with me.

The message was clear:  They were real.  They were aware of me.

I also realized something else.

Looking at those who were living the gospel of Jesus Christ, I didn't see anybody being forced to do things they didn't want to do or feeling restricted by their faith.  I saw them choosing to live like Jesus Christ because they wanted to.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni extends his promise through an invitation, not a command, "If ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will lmanifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4)

I realized I wanted to Choose Him too.

IMPERFECT DISCIPLESHIP

 From then on, I took learning about Jesus Christ seriously.  I accepted missionary lessons.  I studied the Book of Mormon.  I prayed every day.  I even got baptized! (My choice this time!). This was all so new to me, but I felt my heart changing.

I still have a lot to learn, and I am so imperfect, but I always say to myself, "Let's just try to be like Christ today.  Just keep trying."

Elder Joaquin E. Costa of the Seventy beautifully taught:

"At times, having faith in Jesus Christ may seem like something impossible, almost unattainable. We may think that coming unto Christ requires a strength, power, and perfection we don't have, and we just can't find the energy to do it all.  But . . . faith in Jesus Christ is what gives us the energy to begin the journey."

Jesus Christ can change us if we give Him the chance and keep trying.  He doesn't limit our freedom.  Instead, He offers us even more through His Atonement: joy, healing, and hope.

We have the freedom to choose Him every day, and I'm grateful for the miracles my choice to follow Him brings into my life.

We are so grateful to know Ginger and all of the other students who continue to bless our life.

Sarah, one of the missionaries we served with stared in the On Pitch Performing Arts production of Almost MAINE.  We joined our Mission friends, the Lloyd's and Homer's to attend and support Sarah in her performance.  What a fun evening at the theatre and ice cream to top it off.  We love it when our mission family gets together and especially when we are invited to see what they are doing in their lives.  After the performance Sarah announced that she and her husband are expecting their first child.  So exciting to celebrate her good news!

THANKSGIVING

Preslee wanted to help with the Rolls for dinner.  I always use Jody Van Drimmelen's recipe for refrigerator rolls.  Preslee rolled out the dough and cut and rolled them.  First try without flour and then we floured the board and they turned out great.  In the end they baked the same and tasted great.  It is fun having a granddaughter who wants to learn and spend time with Grandma.  

We invited my Sister, Pam and her daughter and three girls who were visiting from out of town.  We were so glad to have more people to share our feast with.  We had so much food and a great time was had by all.  

I tried a new recipe for sweet potatoes with apples and it is a new favorite.  I also made a fresh pumpkin with coconut gluten free crust and a gluten free pecan pie.  We could enjoy a delicious feast and enjoy some of our favorites without the sugar and flour that Russ stays away from to keep his diabetes in check. 

Three Dinner parties in 1 week was a lot of shopping, cooking and preparing.  It is one of the things I love doing and doesn't happen very often with other people.  I just don't get the same enjoyment cooking for Russ and I every day!  

I am so grateful for the blessings of a warm home where the spirit of Jesus Christ can dwell, food to feed those who enter, family and friends who choose to come and good health that allows us to serve others.  Russ is still healing from his hand surgery and it is amazing all that he has been able to do with limited use.  Good therapy to keep it moving!

We ended the month of November ringing in the Christmas Season with the Gentri Christmas Concert at the Eccles in Salt Lake City.  A Magical evening of outstanding music with Emily, her friend Cheryl, my sister Pam and Russ and I.  This has become a new tradition for us since we have moved to Utah.  

Gentri on Stage

So grateful to family and friends who read this Blog and share in our experiences.  For all of our Texas friends we would like to invite you to go visit the Nativity Display in Granbury Texas.  It is dear to our hearts and a great get away for an afternoon in historic Granbury.  

Location in Granbury

UTAH FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

We would like to invite you to our Nativity Open House

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15.          4:00 - 9:00 PM

MONDAY DECEMBER 16          5:00 - 9:00 PM

1064 E. 140 N.  Lindon, UT

Come and share in the Spirit of Christmas with us.

The Grimmett's

RECIPES:

GERMAN SWEET CHOCOLATE PIE WITH GLUTEN FREE CRUST

Crust:  No Sugar Brownie

1/2 cup almond flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup powdered sugar substitute (monk fruit, stevia, etc.)

1 large egg

1/4 cup melted coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350*.  Line bottom of pie tin with parchment paper

2.  Make the Batter:

In a bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, powdered sweetener, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, melted coconut oil, and vanilla.  Combine the wet ingredients witht he dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.

3.  Spread the batter:

Pour the batter into the prepared pie tin, spreading thinly and evenly in the bottom and up the sides.

4.  Bake for 12-15 min. or until the edges are firm.  Be careful not to overbake as it will continue to crisp as it cools.

*Can be made in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Spread thinly and evenly using a spatula to form a large rectangle.  Bake for 12-15 min or until surface is slightly cracked.  Let cool completely on the baking sheet, then bream them into pieces.  Great treat.

FILLING

4 oz. German sweet chocolate

1/3 cup milk - divided

2 Tbl. sugar

3 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. Cool Whip.  (I used 8 oz. of fresh whipping cream, whipped till stiff)

* can use a graham crust instead of crust above.

Heat:  chocolate and 2 Tbl. of milk in microwave until chocolate is melted.  

Beat:  sugar into cream cheese.  Add remaining milk and chocolate mixture and beat till smooth.  Fold in whipped topping or cream, blend until smooth.

Spoon: into crust.  Freeze till firm, 4 hrs.  Remove from freezer about 30 min. before serving.  Garnish with chocolate curls.  I use vegetable peeler on chocolate bar to make curls.

OCTOBER 2024 - Construction, BYU Sports, Friends and Surgery

OCTOBER

 

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year.  It is also is the beginning of the Holiday Season and I love the decorations and the festivities that go along with it.  We updated our garage doors this month and love the new Black doors.  It was not in the plans but when the Spring breaks and the garage door falls to the floor and bends it is time for an upgrade.  

BYU SPORTS

MARRIOTT MADNESS

For those of you who know Russ you know he stopped watching live BYU sports years ago - it was just too much stress for him.  He became a fair weather fan.  If they Win he watches the replay and enjoys it immensely.  So, when he gets a chance to see them live in any other event he likes to go and be a part of the hype.  So we went to their Marriott Madness where they introduce the Men's and Women’s Basketball teams.  

What an exciting and fun night.  It was Fan night and so filled with energy.  We are excited for this new era of BYU Basketball with Coach Young.  

BLUE AND WHITE GAME

The next week was the annual Blue and White Game where the team plays against each other.  The Marriott Center was filled to capacity and it was a great night seeing the new team and of course COSMO.  I think we are in for a great season of Basketball.

FAMILY

It has been a year since I visited Jaime and her family in Minnesota and it was time for a visit to see Emma participate in the Color Guard for the Farmington High School Band.   It was Senior Night and a Winning Game.  Their Band took 1st place in a Wisconsin State Competition the week before and this was their last game of the Season.  It brought back so many memories of my boys being in Arlington High's Band and Jaime in Drill Team and all of the Half Time Shows and Competitions.  It was especially nice to see Emma perform and to see how much she has matured into a wonderful Young Women.  

Farmington High School Band

Jaime and I got a Hotel and spent two days together - something we have not done for a long time.  She has a Home Bakery and Fall is their Busy Season.  She does Farmers Markets and other events every week and also teaches Cookie classes.  I helped her put together 200 S'more Kits for the Pumpkin Farm that she does on weekends.  They were having a special event at night with fire pits, mazes, pumpkin Bombs, etc and wanted her to sell the s'more kits.  I then got to be with her at the Farm for the morning and it was a great experience.  

Her husband Andy does most of the baking and she bags them and runs the markets.  They make the most delicious Pumpkin Ginger Cookie as well as many others.  October ends the Markets and then they concentrate on Thanksgiving orders for pies, rolls and cinnamon rolls and Andy starts his Santa Clause work.  I am happy I got to be there for a few days to experience a little of their life and to see the Grandkids.  I even got to see the Northern Lights one night - Amazing!  

A NEW ADVENTURE - American Airlines began service out of Provo, UT in October and it worked for me to fly from Minnesota to Dallas and then to Provo.  It was so nice to fly in and walk through the airport and to the front door in about 3 min.  - Sure beats the 20 minute over a mile walk in the Salt Lake Airport.    I hope it continues to be a good place for us to fly out of.  

I arrived home Saturday night and was off to California the next morning with Emily and her kids.

UNIVERSAL HERE WE COME!

Last February we took the kids to Universal and we bought Season Passes because it was the best value for our money.  Our tickets expired on Nov. 1 and we wanted to be able to use them one more time  so we fit it in to take them just before their Fall Break at school.  We had a nice drive with good weather and arrived Sunday evening in Burbank.  We were ready to go Monday morning bright and early to make the most of our day.  With Logan we get a special pass to avoid the lines and we were able to walk right on every ride with no wait time until the end of the day and they were short on staff so everyone had to wait about 45 minutes on the last ride.   

It's not an experience at Universal without a Frozen Ginger Beer in Harry Potter World.  That was the only food (if you can call it that) that I purchased in the Park.  Emily and kids made up for it trying all kinds of culinary delights.  

My favorite part of the Park is the Universal Studios Tour.  It was different than when we went in February and we got to experience different movies and adventures.  It really is amazing what they do on movie sets.  The houses look better than in real life.  

The Water World Show was really entertaining and WET for many people.  Preslee did not get as wet as she wanted during the show so afterwards we went and met the actors and they took a bucket and dumped it over her head.  She was having the best time.  It was a really nice day with the kids with everyone having a good time - that really makes the trip worth it.

Couldn't leave without seeing the HOLLYWOOD Sign.  Unfortunately with the fires and morning haze it was hard to see very good.  It is a mile hike from the Observatory to actually get close and we did not have the time to do that.  The drive to the Observatory is beautiful and with the horrible LA traffic it was nice to be away from it for a little while.  We then began our drive back and spent the night in Las Vegas.  

We were North of the City and right across the street from Sam's Club.  We thought that was great - we would get up and get gas at Sam's and then go back into Las Vegas for the kids to got to their favorite Coke Store and then head for home.  We loaded our bags in the car and then went back into the Hotel for Breakfast.  Everything was fine at that time.  Logan and I finished first and went to the car and it was DEAD.  It would not start and the electric doors would not work.  I opened the hood and was grateful we were close to a Sam's Club that I could walk to if I needed to.  A kind man asked if I needed help and he pulled his truck around and gave me a jump.  It started right up and Emily came out to the car.  We were completely out of gas and also knew if we turned off the car it probably would not start.  We drove to Sam's and got gas.  Sure enough it did not start.  I walked over to the Tire Shop and said I needed to buy a battery but that my car was at the gas station.  They were so nice and helpful.  They walked over to the gas station and were going to push my car over to the store.  Emily tried the car one more time and it started - Their Luck Day!  She drove over and they dropped everything and installed the battery for us.  It took less than 30 minutes and we were on our way.  I don't think I have ever had that kind of service at Sam's.  It was truly a blessing our Hotel was located where it was.  For some reason the drive from Las Vegas to Lindon seemed soooo long.  Traffic, accidents, construction all made a long drive.  We were all glad to be home.  

My Sister Pam sold her Town Home and bought a new home with her daughter's family.  I went and helped her with the final day of cleaning before her closing.  I am so grateful I live close to her and can help and be a part of her life.  We were exhausted but she jumped for joy as we finished and she said good-bye to her home.  We had a nice lunch together and then unloaded the last load from her car.  A new adventure awaits her and I wish her the very best.

FRIENDS

The experiences and blessings of our Mission continue to enrich our life in ways we could never have imagined.  We served in Vienna Austria with two of the first Persian Speaking Missionaries in our Mission and actually The Church.  Because of that, several other missionaries learned from them the Persian language and we helped teach the English class to about 50 refugees and immigrants from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, etc.  

Sam Olson, one of the missionaries we served with has volunteered for the past 4 years in the translation department of the Church helping with General Conference translation and the Temple instructions in Persian 

invited us to the 50th Reunion of the Iran Tehran Mission.  We met the first missionaries who served in Iran 50 years ago.  We heard stories of how people were able to leave Iran and come to America and find the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives.  Miracles in so many of their lives.

Caleb Bryant, another one of our missionaries, came with his wife Grace and when they entered the room there was a big excitement - like he was a celebrity.  We then found out that he had started an online English class for Persian speakers and has Thousands of followers and he really is a celebrity to them.  They were so excited to meet the person who had been teaching them English.  He is making a difference in so many peoples lives.  We ate the most delicious Persian food including Kebab, Biryani, Turkish Delight candy, Pistachios and salads.  We love experiencing other cultures and people.  

Thank you Sam for sharing this wonderful evening with us.

Kent and Linda Mecham from Arizona stopped by for a delightful visit while they were in Utah visiting family and welcoming a new grandchild to their family.  They too are mission friends and we loved having them and catching up on our lives and sharing our thoughts and feelings of the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives and how blessed we all are to have had the experiences we have together.  They are our special mission family.  

One of our longtime Texas friends, Stephen Crawford passed away and his body was laid to rest in Bountiful Utah among his family members.   He is buried in the same cemetery as my brother-in-law and special friend Bob Van Drimmelen - 3 great men!  We were so grateful to be able to attend the memorial service for him and pay our condolences to Keven and the Crawford family.  Stephens life was one of service and friendship to people from all walks of life.  He spent years teaching the gospel at the Prison and ministering to the widows and shut-ins.  His was a life of quiet, yet profound compassion and love.  

Another group of people we have come to love is our Cumorah family.  It is so rewarding to keep in touch and see what so many of our students are doing in their lives since Cumorah.  Two of our students got married this month.  

Guntars Celmins, a former student from Latvia married his sweetheart, Linda, also from Latvia last week and they came to Utah for their Honeymoon.  We were invited to a gathering at Kelly and Stacy Shepherds home with Madara (former staff member from Latvia) and her husband Marshall who live in Idaho Falls.  

Kelly and Guntars

They also invited Oliver (a former missionary in Latvia) and his wife who knew the others in Latvia.  It was a wonderful reunion for all of us.  We are so happy for Guntars and Linda.  They will live in London, England and begin their life together there.  It was amazing to see all of the connections and how our lives intersect even continents away.  

Another one of our students at Cumorah, Cristo Bushi from Albania was called to serve a mission in Australia and left last week for the MTC in Thailand.  

There is so much more to this story.  Cristo is standing next to the current Mission Leader for the Albania Tirana Mission, President Auras.  President Auras was the Stake President in Munich Germany when we served our mission and his son was in our Ward.  We got to know him in Germany, have had him for dinner in our home in Utah and invited him to Cumorah while we were there.  We told him about Cristo being in Albania and the struggles of being a young man in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with very few friends who shared his same beliefs.  We talked to Cristo about serving a mission but that really did not seem like a possibility for him at the time.  With the guidance and direction of Pres. Auras three young men from Albania left the same day to serve missions.  Two will serve in Australia and one will be serving in  Rome Italy with another friend who is the Mission Leader, Pres. Tim Morris from Texas.  It truly is a small world in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

SURGERY ROUND 3

Russ had his third surgery for his Dupuytren's Contracture - a hereditary condition that results from shortening and thickening of connective tissues in the hand.  He was hoping he could just get the injections but it was not possible for where it was located on his finger.  The Doctor said there is not much left of the nerves in these fingers and probably cannot have further surgeries on these fingers.  Let's hope it does not come back.  

10 days later he had the stitches removed.  Just in time for Halloween to look like Frankenstein.  It is not a very pretty sight and we hope it heals soon.  The challenge now is therapy to get the fingers moving again.  

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES

Last month we did the demo of Emily's master bathroom and this month we got all of the Duro Rock in the areas that will be wet and sheetrock in the other areas.  We replaced some of the subfloor that had water damage.  We laid the underlayment for the tile and then installed all of the tile and grout.  We also helped to texture the walls that will not have tile on them.  We used a waterproof cement on the walls and it turned out really nice.  

  It has been a very slow process with everything else going on and working with Emily's schedule.  Baseboards are next and then we can move the toilet, tub and vanity into the room.  Then we will just have the shower to tile.  We are hoping to have it completed by next week.  Update:  Baseboards installed and toilet installed - it's beginning to look like a bathroom again.  

Toilet is in the shower

until it gets installed!

Tile Layed and walls textured

Floor is Done!

October is one of my favorite months of the year for many reasons, but especially because we begin the month with General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  This is a time twice a year to hear from our Prophet and other leaders in The Church.  President Nelson turned 100 this year and continues to lead, guide and speak to the World.  He announced 17 new Temples that will be built around the World.  He also gave an update on current Temples and 15 will be Dedicated before the end of the year.  He shared words from Handel's Messiah - "The Glory of the Lord revealed, All flesh shall see together- Government will be on His shoulders - He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords."  We need to prepare for His coming by making discipleship our highest priority.  If we do that we will FEEL HIS LOVE, PEACE and SPIRITUAL REASSURANCE.

PROMISE:  Sincere Seeker will find HIM!

QUESTION:  To Whom or To What will I give my life to?

He said the Savior is the Rock he has built his life on.  That decision has made a difference in everything else in my life.

It is never too early or too late to be a Disciple of Christ.  You do not need to bear life's challenges alone.  Rededicate your life to Christ.  

He concluded that we need to TALK, TESTIFY, HAVE FAITH, REJOICE IN CHRIST AND OFFER OUR WHOLE SOUL TO HIM.  

Those are the things I need to work on in the next 6 months and I invite you to experiment upon his words and find JOY with me in Jesus Christ.  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN