Week 35 Update

Marissa Update:
The babies will be induced on the 5th of December. They will be 37 weeks at that time. Marissa says, "I'M DONE", but the Doctor said the 5th. At least she (the doctor) has a sense of humor. With Dr. Lonni's help we did get Marissa some medea (SP) lotion for the bleeding stretch marks and very thin skin. If Risa will let me I will post a before birth pic, she isn't too anxious to have pic's taken at this point. She is planning on a hair cut ASAP after birth, she has been letting her hair grow and it is beautiful, but I do understand liking short hair. If you have a few, give her a call and cheer her on. Notify me if you want me to email you pic's of the new little ones.
More news later.
Denise and George moved to Bishop CA as he is now Chief of his Tribe. It has been a big job, but I am proud of him, he is trying to do the right thing. Keep up the good work George.

Update

I was reprimanded yesterday by Marissa for not updating my blog. I have been very busy here and haven't taken the time. An Update on Marissa, she has passed the time when the babies would have been at risk. They are both about five pounds now so if they come they will be fine. She has another bladder infection and is still in a lot of pain but she had been a valiant trooper trying to do the best to get these two babies here safely. In my opinion at risk to herself. Mason's Mom is here to help her and this is really good. I was wanting to take a leave of absence from the mission but she didn't want me to. Sometimes it is difficult to sit her at my desk knowing she needs me, it is a good thing I have been very busy with work. It is Friday and all of the directors are at the Motion Picture Studio (MPS)in Provo and so it is a bit quieter than usual.
On Tuesday of this week I was fortunate to go to a devotional with the young missionaries who work at the MPS studio. There are 12 young men and 2 couples who came to our office for a devotional with one of the General Authorities. He opened the meeting to questions from the missionaries. The young men were the focus of the meeting and they had plenty of questions for him. One of the questions was about all of the opposition the church is receiving from the California vote and were the brethren concerned. His answer was a simple quote from Joseph Smith "No unhallowed hand can stop the work..." There were many questions about marriage and the future. Elder ... Said that if you had a check list that was "Spiritual Arrogance" he said if they wanted the best wife, they had to be the best kind of husband and she would be attracted to them. Someone that was true to the faith and together the could honor the covenants and to be equally yoked spiritually. One of the young men said how do you help a companion who is unwilling to do the right things. Elder... said to pray for your companion, get outside of yourself, ask is it I, provide a worthy example and provide service, and to seek for spiritual gift of love. He gave some examples of the rocky beginning between him and his wife (she was there too!) and how you have to work to get on the same page. All in all it was a great experience.
Some time ago when I was helping Marissa one afternoon, Bruce dropped by and so did Ashley. On accident Ashley locked her keys and baby Benjamin in the vehicle. Bruce wisely told us to call 911, which we did and they were there within 5 minutes and all was well. Here are some photos to share with you. Hope you enjoy them. Don't give up on me, the blogging must go on. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Oh Rats! I can't get the disk to download the pic's. Will try later..

Bubba Birthday #2

OK, so it didn't work out so well, somehow I got the pictures flipped and didn't want to mess with it in my limited time. But you see there is an extra pic and it is Bruce's good friend who came over to sing "Happy Birthday" to him, it was quite a pleasant surprise for everyone. Anyway, he looks healthy and happy and we all had a very nice time. Thanks for the good food Viv...

Bubba's Birthday

Here is a picture of the famous now 60 year old Bubba. You will note he is making a wish before he blows out his candles. When you are 60, you hope all of your wishes do come true.

New Newz

Greetings, Marissa reminded me that I hadn't added to by blog lately. The news has been just one darn thing after another so who wants to hear anything about that. The good news is that Marissa is still pregnant, and that she has survived the ordealssssss and with a great sense of humor. The mom was the one having the difficult time. When something is happening to my kids I worry too much. Oh, ye of little faith Mom.. It's ok though, I got the message in conference, I am not the one in charge. Perhaps it is because my favorite time of the year is coming to a close, in case you haven't notice, the leaves are changing, it is getting colder out there, etc. On Monday, right after conference they started cleaning up the beautiful flower beds, I had grown to love the flowers so much. Oh, I know they will all be frozen by the weekend, it is just the close of the season I resent. It comes after living too long in warm country where you just replace summer flowers with winter ones. How quickly we become spoiled. I am looking forward to getting a new Great Granddaughter within a week or so. My granddaughter Tiffany who lives in California is having her second girl within the next week. Denise is going to go and stay with her there. I hope they send pictures, I will include one for you. Lets see, what else has happened. Oh, Marissa's' shower. It was great. She received so many nice things. There were many family and friends that sent money in for the twins. She was able to get both car seats, both mattresses for the beds. Baby swings, clothes, sheets and so many other things thanks to the very generous family and friends. Sarah Marissa's very good friend made two quilts, and the bumper and bed skirt for the cribs. The absolute best was the rag rug that Mason's mom made for their bedroom, it must have taken her over 3 months of working on it and it is absolutely beautiful. My thanks to everyone for you generosity. I will try to be better at keeping up on the blog, and I so much enjoy every ones blogs, if you are reading mine and I haven't commented on yours, I probably don't have your blog address. Please let me know, I love keeping up with our great family. Much love to all....

Extra Prayers Needed

Fall is sneaking up on us, yesterday was such a beautiful day, I so much dread the coming winter. I truly have enjoyed the Summer here in Salt Lake City. It is beautiful here, especially here on temple square where there are so many lovely flowers. What a blessing to be here abounding in beauty all around. I'll want to head south when the 20 degree weather hits us though.
It has been an eventful past few weeks. Marissa has had a kidney stone and she has been dealing with all of that pain. The doctor really doesn't want to do much to help her as he says there are too many babies. They won't do surgery, and the only other alternative is a stint. The last two times she had a stint she was on heavy pain medication for the week to 10 days she had it. You can't be on heavy medication with two babies in the womb. So, if you have any extra prayers, please feel free to supplicated Heavenly Father on her behalf. As her mom, I am trying not to get to anxious and trying to trust in the Lord, sometimes it is difficult we want to have our difficulties solved immediately and must wait. A difficult thing in a world of instant gratification. But, I must say that Marissa is quite a trooper, and so cute all pregnant. We are running out of maternity clothes as the babies are growing too fast. The large size doesn't have enough tummy portion left. What is a mother to do... Today is 26 weeks and we only have to get through today, and try not to worry about tomorrow. The doctor said she is doing fine, and she now wants to see her every two weeks, and she is on a two week schedule with the urologist to check the condition of her kidneys unless she had tremendous pain again. The babies are growing so they are fine, we just hope the stone goes away.
The rest of the family seems to be doing well. Linda, my roommate and I went last Saturday nite to see my cousin Bruce and his band playing at a 1968 class reunion. It was fun to see everyone dancing to tunes I knew most of the words too. Bruce and the band were very good and a great time was had by all. Chuck was here last weekend to see his children and grandchildren, and to go to the BYU/UCLA slaughter. He went with us to the Conference center on Sunday for Stake conference, President Monson was the speaker, with Elders Ballard and Hinckley and Sr. Lant of the General Primary Presidency. It was broadcast to 34 stakes here in the valley. It was a good experience and it was even more special because my brother was there to share it with me. President Monson told us to get our homes in order. Looks like I have work to do. More to come.

Thursday

Introducing new baby, born yesterday
Parker( )Johnson, born to Karen (Sullivan) and Ben Johnson in TX. Isn't he beautiful, with a touch of red hair. As far as I know, mother and baby are doing well. Nana Vivienne is helping out. Poor Bubba is here in SLC, Marissa and Mason went to dinner with him on Monday, poor guy had a flat, thank heaven for Mason. He's a really great guy. I mean, he puts up with Marissa and her Mom.... In the not too distant future, I will be happy to present my two new grandchildren. Marissa and I went shopping for larger maternity clothing, seems we have maxed out the shops here. Twins come in larger packages than one at a time. I know she is quite miserable often. But, she was a champion this past weekend when we went to Ruidoso, NM for my nephew Jordan's wedding. It was a grand time, I so much love being with my family and I was able to see nearly everyone. Even, my two aunts in their 80's drove over for the festivities. The company was the best, the food was good and the music was good too. (The DJ was an oldie so he must have chosen music he could tolerate. It was beautiful there in the tall pines, the weather was wonderful, and my dear dear friend Annette picked us up in El Paso, drove us there stayed with us, took us back to El Paso, it was a much longer trip for her. But I so much appreciate her inconvenience. I saw may dear brother there too. My he looks handsome with his white hair, I do have a preference in case you were wondering. The bride and groom were dressed to the nines, the setting was a country club with beautiful grass, and the sun just setting, and Todd, Jordan's brother was the one who married them. ( He got permission somehow.) He did a very good job and gave them a word of advise that was very appropriate and true. Later, I wanted to tell them that Willies best two word were "Yes Dear!", but knowing Willie I would have to tell them the rest of the story too, then you do whatever you want. Ha! Ha! I am so happy to have been able to go. We all came away from the event feeling so good just seeing all of our family. Thanks Kathy & Billy and great job...

Monday Habit?

Here we are at Monday again, hope this doesn't become a bad habit. It has been a great week though. My two Aunts from NM came on Sunday. Bruce had made arrangements for me to take them to an event on Tuesday in the Tabernacle. The Choir was singing and eight or nine local musicians. It was very impressive and the music was wonderful. The Tabernacle Choir in the tabernacle is such a musical treat. I think we all were so appreciative to Bruce for the opportunity to go. We had great seats downstairs, I think the ones upstairs would have been rather warm. Then on Saturday, I again took the wonderful Aunts to Seven Peaks, a water park. We met Bruce and family there for several hours. It was wonderful to watch the older and younger kids having such a great time. I enjoyed holding the babies and it was a very pleasant and relaxing afternoon. We then went to eat at Cafe Rio and then I took two exhausted aunts home.
Marissa and Mason went to Phoenix for a week to see family, and I am sitting with the GrandCats. They have to be medicated twice a day, old GrandCats. Anyway, that night when I went to bed, I reached under the lamp to turn it on, there was a small thing, I couldn't see it hanging down, I thought it was a pull to turn the lamp on. All of a sudden, there was a LOUD shrill sound coming from the pull. I was pushing buttons everywhere, to no avail.. Frantic, I had pulled it out of its slot. I couldn't get it back on, I had to lay the lamp down and unhook the pin from the shade to be able to put it back on. All the while, this shrill noise coming from this small object, it sort of looked like a small flashlight. Boy, was I happy to get that thing put back together. I guess Marissa keeps it by the side of the bed as a security thing. Perhaps, all women should carry them in their purses, that is if you are afraid of attacks of some sort. Oh, by the way, the GrandCats weren't all that happy about the noise either... I was sure I was going to have another encounter with the local authorities. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Ashley and Sam are off to Missouri. If you have a chance, say an extra prayer for them.
I did get to see my brother for a few minutes on Friday PM.

Great It's Monday Again

It is another slow Monday. This afternoon I am going to get to do some Purchase orders for the Translation Division. This will give me something to do. Life is good.
Somethings you may want to know, Ashley and Sam are going to St. Louis, Missouri on Monday the 11th for his first stem cell treatment, they will be back Thursday. They were told that they would know within three treatment if it was going to work for him. Keep them in your prayers. Also, they had a surprise visit from Elder Cook,and his wife, who came over one evening and talked to them and gave each one of them a blessing. It was a very special, sacred experience. Also, baby Benjamin is growing and moving about everywhere. He is a bright and happy baby. He looks at you with those big blue eyes and your heart melts. This weekend their cousin Rory will get married and Chuck will come up. I look forward to seeing them.
My Aunt Gertie and Aunt Patsy, two of my very favorite people arrived in Riverton last night, they are at Doug's. They will be here for two weeks. Bruce had tickets for the Tuesday night event at the Assembly Hall and I am to take them. I look forward to spending time with them. It is a very long trip from NM to UT for these two great ladies to travel. I know Gertie wanted to see as many of her children and grand and great grand children as she can while she is here. There is going to be somewhat of a Bruce Sullivan reunion this weekend. They have invited Marissa and Mason, their adopted children. I hope to be able to see some of them myself.
Yesterday, I taught my lesson in Sunday School, I hope it went well, I really put some study in it and made this wonderful outline for my class which I forgot in the copy machine at work on Friday. I had to depend on the spirit to guide me as my memory is shot. I put the info in so I have confidence it is in there somewhere, I just pray it will surface when I need it. Whew!!!!
As a side note, you will be happy to know that I have replace the too dark window covering for the lighter one, to be on the good side of the law.
I love testimony meetings on the first Sunday of the month. Especially in the mission field. The missionaries have such wonderful spiritual experiences and they share them with us. It always inspires me to work a little harder, be a little better and seek the Lord in all of my comings and goings. I find much peace and happiness in my life knowing how very much the Lord is watching over us and love us and will help us if we seek his help.
Much love to all.

A good driving award?!

I guess the warning on Friday was an indication of what is to come. On Sunday I ran out to Pleasant Grove to see Ashley, Sam and Baby Benjamin. On the way home, I pulled on the freeway, and a half way between the next exit, I was pulled over by the State Police. I didn't think I had done anything wrong. The officer came up to the passenger side of the car and I said "What is the problem?", in a nice voice of course. He said the window tint on my new used vehicle was too dark for Utah and New Mexico. He had a devise that measured the amount of light the darkness let in, it measured 17 percent. Stupidly, I asked if I had to have all of the windows replaced, No he answered you just have to have this tint removed and replaced with a tint that allows 43% of light in. He took my drivers license and gave me a warning. I hadn't really noticed that the windows were tinted so darkly until he mentioned it. Anyway, I need to find a place that will replace the tint. I haven't been driving since. Saturday I just did Cinderella chores, for a change, I finished my ironing. Many people don't like to iron. I really don't mind, I like the smell of the hot iron on the material, (weird huh??) and it is calming for me to iron and think, besides the satisfaction of seeing all of the beautifully ironed clothes. You can sure tell how old I am when I think it is cool to have ironed clothes.
Saturday afternoon, my roommate came home from a camping trip with a friend. She was elated as a man she had met had asked her to the concert at the conference center and to dinner. She was so excited and happy, rushing around to get clothes, shower and dressed in one hour. The afterward, she was quite disappointed with the evening. The ups and downs of the dating scene, or highs and lows, mostly the pitts of that scene. You must admire her though, she has been trying for several years, I hope it works out for her somewhere along the way.
Now it is Tuesday, I am working on the Sunday School Lesson for Sunday, I am fortunate enough to get to teach it. I always learn so much more when I have to try harder. DUH!.
Take Care,
much love,
Zgranee

New Happenings.

Life has been very busy lately, extracurricular activities only. On assignment, I have been very slow. They tell me I do things too fast, I should take longer to do them. Anyway, I asked to be transferred to a place where I would have more work to do. One of the new managers wants to have a his own secretary so there wouldn't be room enough for me here anyway. I talked to our HR person and then to the mission president so I will have a new position soon. I told him I can come here and work for a half a day or so get my work done, and there will be an extra person to answer the phone. It will be kind of sad, I am just getting to know everyone in the departments and where they go and where they are located. Audiovisual is located on the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 27th Lower level, temple, conference center, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and Motion Picture Studios in Provo. The temple studios have been working to have the temple sessions in all of the different languages that are spoken in all of the different temples dotted around the world. (Just in case you were wondering what audio visual was doing in the temple.) There are many exciting things going on. One of the men here in our department was assigned to the First Presidency and will be there anytime they are being filmed. (Kool assignment!!)
Yesterday was 24th of July Day Celebration. Traditionally called Days of 47. In 1847 Brigham Young first arrived here in the Salt Lake Valley with the pioneers. There is a huge parade and many activities going on. The parade is said to be second to the New Years Day Parade we have been watching for years. Anyway, Marissa ran in the 10K race (Approx 6 plus miles) and I walked in the 5K. I was able to cut off 4 minutes from the Lavender 5K so I think that was an accomplishment. Marissa has ran for the past 2 years and didn't want to miss it this year, just because she has twins coming. She said she ran the first 3 miles, walked one, ran one, and walked the last one, and stopped for 3 pit stops. I was very proud of her as she is getting pretty round and starting to waddle (don't tell her I said so). She was a bit tired and took 2 naps but she has survived it well. Yesterday, Mason fixed dinner and about 20 people came to their house. He is a darn good cook and made a mean potato salad. Tonight is a huge concert at the conference center with the Osmond's and the Tabernacle Choir. Bruce says it is going to be quite a glitzy show. I was lucky enough to get some tickets and we are going.
On Tuesday night, Linda Baldwin came by with two of Annette's kids and spent the night. It was great to see them, and the kids are young adults now and very fine young people. Annette had been a very good mom to them. It was great to see Linda too, we just chatted, a thing we haven't been able to do for a long time. It was very nice.
On Tuesday and Wednesday I was in the Family History Department in a training session on the New Family Search. It is really great, but I can see that I have much work to do on my Dad's side, looks like a good challenge for me. I was also trained on Indexing which anyone can do, even non-members of the church. All you have to do is sign up. (lds.org; Family History; Help to... indexing; click and sign up, easy as that) If you like sitting at the computer, it is something worthwhile to do while sitting there.
Yesterday afternoon, I went to see Ashley and Sam and Baby Benjamin. I found a cute fun thing for Benjamin to sit in and Ashley and I put it together. When we finished I remembered Marissa asked me to pick up lettuce and tomatoes for her. I took off from their house in a hurry, and half a block away was sitting a police man. I nearly got a ticket, instead I got a good talking to. Then I was really running late. Whew!!!!! You didn't know a person on a mission would be having so much fun.
I at least completed my preparations to go to Ruidoso, for my nephew Jordans' (Kathy's son)wedding in Ruidoso on the 23rd of August. I had to get permission to leave the mission. Now I have plane tickets and hotel reservations. It will be nice to see everyone.
The summer is passing by too quickly but I have enjoyed the warmer weather. The flowers around temple square are beauiful. They are now getting big and full and I am so happy to be walking by them every day. I hope you too are having a good summer filled with new sites, smells and lots of family and friends.
Love you,
Zgranee

Guess what?!!!

I had the privilege of going to Fetal Films with Marissa yesterday, what a great thing to see those two babies moving everywhere. Their hearts beating was what really got to me. It was sooo special. Well anyway, what you really want to know is what is baby A and baby B. We have one of each. Marissa is 17 weeks along and we are hoping to stay put until at least Thanksgiving. This is quite exciting. Will write more later.
love to all,
Granee
PS: shopping here we come .

Post Holiday Letdown

Today seems awfully slow and dragging. Many of the employees here are on vacation so my work is extremely slow. July seems to be a vacation month in Utah. Most of the General Authorities are on vacation. Today, we did have a surprise visit from E. Dickson and the Mission President. Mission Presidents (MP) don't get vacations. My Houston MP was released the end of June and I am sure is home by now. He is waiting until his son returns from his mission on the 16th of July to have their Sacrament Meeting report. We (our small Houston group) are planning on going to Provo for the Sacrament Meeting and a short luncheon afterwords. I have been on my mission almost 9 months. The time has passed by so quickly. I told Marissa, that her time pregnant would pass by very quickly too. I am sure she doesn't feel that way when she is miserable. This week she is going to Phoenix to spend a couple of days with her dear friend Sarah. She and Sarah have been friends since middle school, I think it is great to be able to keep a school chum that long. When I left high school, I never saw many of the people I knew again. At class reunions I would see many of my class mates, but not the special ones that were my friends.
Weekend before last we went to the Lavender Days south of Provo. Marissa and I ran in a 5K, I came in under one hour, I was amazed. Now Marissa wants me to do the 10K on 24th of July, I think I'll opt of the 5K and try to get in better shape and do a 15 minute mile rather than a 20 minute mile. Mason took pictures of Marissa and me at the finish line, maybe I can get him to give me one to post, so you will know for sure I was there. Anyway, it was fun and we were sure tired. Marissa did run and then walked back to where I was, we ran down hill, ha! ha! ha!. The same day that we ran the 5K, was the day of Sam's Golf Tourney. Chuck drove up from Silver with Jeff and Katie. They played and had a good time. Katie won a lime green golf bag. I don't know what the dollar amount was they made but I think there were about 25 teams. It was a very generous thing that gentleman did to help the kids. BY the way, I think they are doing better all the time. They are finally getting used to the schedule, and as you might guess, it is difficult to find reliable help on a consistent basis to come help with bath and dressing in the AM and PM. There is also someone to take him to therapy daily. Whitney has been staying there helping, this has been good as Ashley can get a good nights sleep occasionally. Whitney will wake up in the night and turn Sam so that Ashley can get some uninterrupted sleep. Their baby boy is so precious and is growing in leaps and bounds. He is so alert and so cute.
This past 4th we went over to Bruce and Vivienne's for a delayed birthday party. It is so fun to go there and see all of the little ones. They are all growing and learning new things. Marissa and Mason took turns holding Heather/Daves new baby boy Eli. He is still quite small, and they loved it. It is good practice for the two coming.
I was able to talk to Taylor, he was having dinner with LH and Jean. He is in Silver working again and staying w/Aunt Gertie. I was feeling bad because he would be alone on a holiday, so I was happy to hear he was with family. Helen had to work so her 4th was mostly tiring. She is doing well though and I am so pleased with her progress. Denise and George are still not quite sure what the future will bring for them as the restaurant thing didn't pan out, I am sure they will find something else. Not much exciting just a little lull. Tomorrow, Marissa and I are going to get a manicure for her birthday present. A manicure for me and a pedicure for her. I think I would prefer a massage as I awoke in the night with a cramp in my left foot, I couldn't remember when the last time I had a leg cramp. Poor Aunt Gertie, she was getting them nearly every night. Be Happy!!
Love,
Carroll
PS Karen, take care of yourself first, we can have a long blog later.....

Crackers

Our lives are very intertwined in our families. We get older and we think we are different from our siblings as we have had many years on our own. But those early learning years are very much binding in our lives. Just the other day my niece asked my daughter if I liked crackers. It seems like to her if she doesn't have any crackers in the house her dad (my brother ) thinks she is without food and goes to the market and brings home a box or two. Now what is so funny about that, doesn't everybody have boxes of crackers around the house? I do. Several kinds, I even discovered these small saltines and I bought all of the boxes on the shelf. I don't see anything odd about that. My daughter told my niece she didn't either, she loves crackers too. When she was in high school, she took a whole pack of them to school in her backpack,every day as she was a runner and runners get hungry, really hungry, and all of the other runners get hungry and bring their crackers too. Cracker lovers unite!!!
All of this is well and good, but,I also discovered that crackers, my favorites even over bread, contain trans fats. It says on the package zero trans fats, but it also says hydrogenated oil. OH MY! What to do. Clog your veins of the worst kind or eat your favorites. I have decided to eat crackers only at a reduced rate. Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Cracker!

It's the little things.

Lately, I have been trying to be more cognizant of the little things that happen in my life and the lives of those around me. It is easy to become distracted in such a busy world with all of the things we think we HAVE to do. So here are a few of the things I have noticed lately, using Elder Bednars' words the "tender mercies" granted our way.
When I was young I never had the opportunity to have a child. I just thought that was my lot and didn't worry too much about. I don't really remember being around someone who was pregnant to go through it with them. I lived with my sister when she was pregnant, but I don't remember being very involved at the time. But being around Marissa while she is going thru the pregnancy with these twins is a bright spot to me. Maybe is is just because we have waited so long, or all of the problems she has had just getting pregnant that makes is so precious, I don't really know, but it has been such a joy to be around her. It is not easy for her, she is sick much, and grouchy, and can't eat sometimes, and has had all kinds of complications. But still it is exciting to me. I love being around her through thick and thin or rather thin to thick. She has lost weight and is getting very round, she is so cute. To her it is miserable, she put up all of her clothes as she was getting frustrated going to the closet and nothing fit. She only has one pair of pants that fit her, I told her to get another pair, but she is particular, for comfort. (Another frustration for her-comfort)
Mason has been so wonderful to her and so concerned, he is good. I am pleased with the way they interact and do things together, it is refreshing. Anyway, my joy is full with these new babies.
Another thing that happened was some years back when I was teaching seminary, I learned about chiasmas (chiasmas is the figure of speech in which two clauses are related to each other through a reversal of structures in order to make a larger point; that is, the two clauses display inverted parallelism.) It was discovered in 1967,in the Book of Mormon, and I taught some time later but never knew who it was that discovered it's existence in that sacred scripture. The story of the discovery in itself is amazing, but for some reason, I never knew who and always wondered. Last Thursday, I wasn't very busy and discovered an article in a magazine that related the story 40 years later. I was thrilled now I knew. ( Jack Welch) What was even more exciting was I knew him. For the past 8 months, I have been traveling to Provo to attend his Book of Mormon class-introduced to me by my missionary friends the Andersons-and loving it. How honored I felt to be taught by him. A great discovery for me. A really exceptional individual.
Here is a little saying by President Hinckley that sums it up for me.
"Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

Rain? Rain?

Greetings from Rainy Utah,
I talked to my friends in Beaver, UT and they awoke this morning to 4 inches on snow on June 5. This has been a crazy weather year. Isn't the weather a wonderful thing, it reminds us that a higher force is in control and must be respected. I love watching the weather, I should have been a weather person. (politically correct) Although it can be very destructive, it still amazes me the way things come about. Even though the weather people try very hard to predict the weather, an do so with a great deal of accuracy, there are always cracks and turns and surprises to the end results. It kind of reminds me of life. Although we work hard to do things that would bring more order to our lives, there is always something that happens to make us rethink our path or chose a different plan or act in some way 180 degrees different than our orderly planned life. This is a good thing because it always keeps us sharp, thinking, re-planning, finding new and different ways to solve our dilemmas. In this way we are using our problem-solving skills, all or our lives. Now I must admit some of us have more problems than others, and some of us are better at solving the problems than others.
This past weekend I went to Phoenix for a quick trip. I had forgotten how really beautiful the desert is. All of this green here in Utah is nice, but I dearly love the desert. It has its own special kind of beauty. Since the really hot heat hasn't gotten there yet, it was still beautiful. Everything was still in bloom and the saguaros had these beautiful white flowers on the tips, there were still some red blossoms on the ocotillos. There were desert trees covered with beautiful pink blossoms. I'm sorry I'm not good at names of plants, but I do appreciate the beauty of them.
Marissa seems to be doing well with the pregnancy. She is getting round in the mid section, still feels noshus in the mornings, but has been walking with her friend across the street, and she has quit her work as of last Friday. The cats enjoy her being home, and she is milking the twins for all its worth. Just joking, she is doing well, I feel bad sometimes I can't advise her on pregnancy, but she seems to have plenty of help and advise from those around her who have experiences these things.
Yesteday, we had a department devotional. Elder Scott, Elder Bednar from the Quourm of the Twelve and Elder McMullen from the Presiding Bishopric's office were the speakers. These men are advisors over our department. Elder Bednar reminded us that what we are doing here is not about us or about the mediam we are working with, but our purpose is to create material that will invite the Holy Ghost to Teach. So that the Holy Ghost can bear witness of Jesus Christ and the Restoration. We should be searching for the "Lord's Own Way", which many times an entirely different way, he said "you don't know how to do it and neither do I, but the Lord does!". The Lord will inspire us in our responsibilities to draw earnest seekers of Truth.
Bishop McMullen said that when the Holy Ghost is present, teaching and learning occur. He gave the example of a feather, when you are not paying attention to the feather you cannot feel it when it brushes against you, you must pay attention to be able to feel it. To listen with the ears of our minds and hearts and feel the innermost feelings of the heart. The Lord has placed a unique system of intelligence which is intimate and personal in each of us and can be awakened and touched by our invitation. Alma32.(Prepare to receive the word, experiment on the work , word begins to swell and grow in us.)
Elder Scott gave the example of working together. About 6 months before the dedication of the new Brazil temple, the equipment to film and record the preceedings were sent to Brazil and stopped in customs. Try as they may, they couldn't get the equipment released. So they searched around got the equipment from various resources locally, as they wanted a flawless dedication, and then 20 minutes before the dedication the camera stopped working, the camera man was able to get the camera working on time and the dedication went on flawlessly.
He ( Elder Scott) also gave us two saying in spanish one was " El que hace lo que quiere, no hace lo que debe". He who is doing what he wants is not doing what he should. Acts 28:27. Anyway, the thing that I remember most of the whole devotional was Elder Bednar said that there are very good people in the world who do many good things but they have closed their hearts to the Holy Ghost. I have thought about this very much since yesterday and looked at myself and the things I do in my life. I am so thankful to be able to go to these devotionals, they help me look at myself in a way I would not have thought about. This way I can try to change and make myself a person more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Much love to you,
Granee

Change always change.

Today President Bush met with President Monsen. We were not to come to work until 10:30am. There has been security all over downtown since last night. The former-mayor Rocky (raccoon) organized a protest group that met across the street from the hotel where President Bush was staying. You could hear the helicopters flying all night around the area. President Bush arrived here at 8:20am the motorcade went under the COB (Church office building) and then emerged at 9:40am. Took North Temple to 3rd West to 4th south on the freeway (80) to the airport. Lift off was to be at 10:40 and they were right on time. I have a picture of the motorcade as it emerged from the underground parking. They just missed a spring rain coming in from the West. We watched the proceedings from our 21st floor. It was cool! There was not only Bush security, but church security every few feet all over the church campus. When I walked down the street to come to work, the police were directing traffic and no traffic was allowed on North Temple. I was stopped on the corner and had to show my security badge and missionary badge to come into the COB. This is as close as I will ever get to a President of the United States. I can't imagine what kind of life that would be. If I were him, I would be happy to get it over with, his time as president hasn't been an easy one and one with many tragedy's that he had to deal with beginning with 911.
Last week when I returned from New Mexico, I learned one of my dear acquaintances from the Houston mission had died suddenly. He went to the gym, which he did nearly daily, and was on the treadmill and collapsed. On the treadmill next to him was a EMT and he immediately started cpr, there was also close by an RN who assisted, the ambulance was there quickly and they took him to the hospital within 4 minutes, but he had had a massive heart attack and didn't make it. He was a dear man to all of us senior missionaries in Houston. He was essentially the leader of our group (Old Fudds), we tried to meet at least once a month, four couples and me and Sr. Lonni. He was an intense Mexican Train affectionado, and a stickler for the rules. The organizer of our monthly meetings here, and weekly get togethers in Houston. Everyone lived in Utah but me. He was well known for his agenda, everyday he had one and followed it closly, and was amazing at getting things done. He and his wife joined the church while he was serving in the Air Force, and he was in the first graduating class 59' of the Air Force Academy in Colorado. A devoted sports fan and had season tickets to the Air Force Games and the BYU Games since they moved to Provo after their mission. Air Force always had priority over BYU. When they joined the church they had 4 children, and then had 5 more. They have a super family with really neat kids, they were expecting their first grand child this Sept. His wife and I became fast friends. They have had much illness and health problems these past years but always positive and optomistic. He will be sorely missed. I for one will miss him, he always made us laugh and was the life of our get-togethers. Probably the most surprising part was the depth to which each of his children felt their loss of their father. How very much each one loved him and look up to him and each one telling their favorite stories of their best memories of him. Their youngest son and his wife, just graduated from college and got a position with a firm in New York, he was very encouraging to them and literally guided their trip to NY in their van. They had only been there for a week when Dave died, they said they wouldn't have gone there if it had not been for his encouragement. I have been thinking of what kind of influence am I to my kids, what kind of example am I to them, am I as close to them as I should be. It kind of made me take a closer look at myself and my relationship to my children. How well am I taking care of myself so I can be there for them. I hope so, I try.

The case of the missing brush.

Sometimes we get in such a hurry that we don't actually know what we are doing. This is the case with the missing brush. Perhaps your not as attached to your brush as I am , I have had it for over 10 years. It is a typical vent brush white with purple tips and small pieces of grey hair hanging around the bottom, stuck there by hair spray. Difficult to remove. It all started when I went to Silver City, on the way I stopped off in Grants and spent the night with my sister. I had gotten up early to go to the graveyard to put flowers on my parents graves, since I am not there very often. I didn't have have a blow dryer with me and rushed off without drying my hair. When I returned, everyone was ready to leave and I put my brush, I thought on the counter at my sisters as I was going to do my hair. ( OK, I know what your thinking but it really didn't look that bad, it just looks better when I blow dry it). Well, we jumped in the truck and headed off to Silver.
On the way, I realized I hadn't stopped to dry my hair. (It was of course dry already, it is just an expression for fluffing it up so it looks like there is more of it than there really is.) Then, I started wondering where was my brush.? My sister didn't call me to tell me I had left it there so where was it. I looked everywhere for it. All over the truck, which by this time was pretty full of junk we had picked up on the way, and in my luggage, purse, dirty clothes. NO Brush... This search continued through the weekend and on Monday. I was bumming brush and dryer all the way. Fortunately, I have family who are better prepared than I was. Usually, I keep a supply of travel supplies packed. Since, my life has been out of a suitcase for the past 7 months, perhaps, when I finally landed in a more permanent place I unpacked them. Who knows! This is all supposition, but I was fairly frustrated with myself..
Tuesday morning and I am back in SLC and still no brush, I haven't stopped long enough to purchase a new one and so I don't look all that great at work today. It was the limp look. Tuesday evening, I am sitting in a devotional waiting for it to start as I had put a notebook in my purse so I could take notes, (old school habit are hard to break) and what to my surprise do I find in the bottom of my purse. The Brush!!!. Now my red purse is not that deep and not that wide and not that long, how could I have missed it? I know I looked in it repeatedly but it wasn't there before. Oh well, I was really very happy to see it. Case Closed!

Crunch Time

Monday already again. It was a very nice Mother's day. I heard from all of my children, what more could one ask for. I went to church with Mason and Marissa and then Mason had prepared spaghetti for dinner. It was very good, we had brownies too, and then Sr. Lonni and I watched our usual sunday nite TV. At sacrament one of the speakers was very impressionable. His story,
when he was about 9 years old, his mother was going to India and took his little sister, she asked him if he wanted to go he said no, she went off to India, and then abandonded the younger sister there when she was 11. First way not to be a good mom. His father remarried to a person who had a mean streak. When he was about 14 she tried to hit him and he caught her hand, she was very angry with him and they sent him to live with his step-grandparents (her parents). Second way not to be a good mom. His step parents took care of him until he graduated from highschool, he said it wasn't ideal either but he thinks of his step grandmom as his mom and calls her such. He recently gave her an 80th birthday. Then he met his wife's mom. She was and is so loving and kind to him. He said he is not so good to those young men coming around to date his daughter. He said he has the best wife and mother there is and she is so loving and kind not only to their children but many others too. He finally learned what it was to have a good mom,from his wife and mother-in-law. Some times life doesn't give us the best start, but hopefully someplace down the line, if we look for it, we can find the way to heal old wounds and move on to a better life. He did, and I was impressed.
I am so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings us together and we share all of the experiences with eachother to strenghten us and uplift us.
Oh, I am going to Silver City on Thursday. I will leave about noon, stay all night with my sister on the way, put some flowers on mom's grave go to on home. On Saturday, Dianne is going to be baptised, and she has asked me to talk on the Holy Ghost. She is so precious. She told the bishop, "Do I have to be baptised by Immersion, I don't know Immersion and I would like my Grandpa to baptize me. So cute, so innocent. Of course she received some new information about immersion. I look forward to seeing my family, I am hoping we can get together for dinner Friday nite. Then on Sat. nite I will drive to Phoenix, and on Sunday, we will have a potluck with my family there. On Monday, drive back to SLC. A long hard trip, but I am looking forward to seeing my family.
Sam gets out of the hospital on the 17th. Please say extra prayers for the two of them, they seem to be doing OK, I'm sure they have their moments, I just have never seen them. And Baby Benjamin is so cute. On saturday I was able to do a lot of loose ends to get things done. Things are coming together finally. I am much slower that I used to be, it is pretty frustrating. OH well, thank heaven someone ususally comes around to help me. Life is good.
Love you all.

Crunch time.

Its-a....

Good news, good news. Now it is official, I can tell you. Marissa went for her test this morning and they found two healthy sacks, so it is twins. She even has pictures; I am going after work to see them. Anyway, the doctors are pleased with her progress, and she is VERY happy. Since both eggs are good, she will have to take the progesterone shots for a month more, I think into June. I think the due date is in December, so maybe we will get babies for Christmas. It has been a long process but I think they are pleased with the results. Having the babies is the easy part, raising them is much more difficult, rewarding but difficult. You need to have lots of heavenly help. This Sunday is Mothers day and Marissa has invited Sr. Lonni and me over for dinner after church. I told her I will come to her ward and go to church with them. Sr. Lonni will spend the weekend with her son and his family and on Sunday, his wife will go to Nephi to she her mother so Sr. Lonni is going to come with us. All of you who are Mothers, I wish you a Happy Mothers Day. I am a mother are very happy with my children. I love them very much. They all are my light and life. The most difficult part of being a Mother is letting them go and make their own families. Once they are on their own, they are busy raising their own families and your kind of forgotten, that's OK though, that is what you raise them up to carry on with their own families. That is one of the blessings of serving a mission, your not in their way and you are doing meaningful work. It has been an wonderful experience serving these two missions. I have learned something new from each one. I think back and felt like my mind was going dull, and being on this mission keeps me working my brain.
Last Friday was Sunshine's last day here in our department, and, tomorrow she reports to the MTC. (Mission to Hungary) I remember how exciting it was to finally get there. It is a marvelous place to be and the spirit of the Lord is so strong there. It is wonderful to watch the young people and their enthusiasm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On the 15th, I will go to Silver City to pick up my vehicle, my dear brother found a used 4 wheel drive for me and we will exchange vehicles. Also, Dianne will be baptised so it will be a double treat. My new room mate will probably go with me and we will make it a four day trip. I am hoping to stop and see some of my family on the way. I have a great family and I miss them, I think of them most often.
Janet, the lady that sits next to me here just got the word from her daughter in Japan that they had a baby girl in the night. They emailed her pictures, my she is beautiful. She weighted 8#3oz, and was 20.5 inches long. She was born there with a midwife and both mother and baby look happy and healthy.
I don't remember if I told you, Sam will be getting out of the hospital around the 17th, Now, Ashley is in training on how to take care of him, he will still be in rehab and it is on 10600, about 15 minutes from their house. I am sure he will be happy to be home. We are so happy he is doing so well. He young man who is the son of one of the man who works in the creative production-international division, and had the similar injury as Sam is now in China for Stem cell therapy. He will be there for two months. He has an interpreter with him and his father too. The father will be traveling to places in that part of the world doing audiovisual work. Sam is very interested to see how it all works out for him. So are we...
Love to all,
Zgranee

Happy Birthday LH

I have this really great uncle named LH, his real name is Louis Henry but no one ever calls him that. Today is his birthday he is 70hmmmmm. I called him early and they were already out and about. That's what kind of a guy he is. He is always doing something, building, cleaning, serving, creating and a ton of other things. He worked for my Dad for many years and was a loyal, trusted employee, and a great friend to my Dad. He had quite a mind, like my Dad's for numbers, and could add quickly in his head and retain those figures forever, it seemed like. He and Aunt Jean have been bright spots to our family for many years. They were the first in our family to adopt children. They have two. Their children are just like any ones you get of your own sometimes great and sometimes trials, but you love them anyway. Because of their example I didn't have any problems adopting my four. Thank you for a great example. My Aunt Jean is the very best cook and Uncle LH is the best consumer of her great cooking. My own son is one who appreciates her cooking. They have kind of adopted him or visa-versa, which is a great blessing as he needed a man who he could look up to and emulate, and Uncle LH is one of the best. My family gave him a birthday party, and I wish I could have been there. One thing about Uncle LH and Aunt Jean is they don't stay around too long, so visit them quickly while they are around. I love them both very much.
The condo is coming along well. WE are in and it has been 3 nights there. I am sleeping well. Its not unusual for me to sleep well, I just have to be quiet for a moment or two and I'm out. Marissa and Mason have had a more difficult time adjusting to their new bed, they bought a memory foam mattress to put on top of the king. I sure miss them, but I will adjust.
Today in mission devotional we had my favorite scripture 1 Nephi 3:7 I will add the previous verse.
6. Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not MURMURED.
7. And it came to pass that I Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord,hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Great Friday.

Here we are at Friday, a decent day outside, I was nearly 60 degrees. I have had an interesting week. Yesterday, two of the guys found the blackberry cell that belonged to the HR lady, she had left it at a meeting. They had a great time with the phone, they took it to many places on campus, covered the face of the phone with a scarf as if she was being held hostage,they took pictures and emailed them to the owner. They set up an email site for bblackberry, it was fun and funny. They were so creative with the emails it is great to work with people who can have fun and work too. Anyway, she got her phone back today after paying the ransom of chocolate. She was a very good sport about it all. They had fun conjuring up the plot.
Last night was the quarterly devotional for the Headquarters Missionaries. We take a potluck and get together to become more acquainted and have a speaker. The speaker was one from our department he works in our filming service. He had taught seminary for 20 years and then was asked to work in production. He helped create many of the church films, the most recent is the Emma Smith movie. It came out in theaters here on the 11th. If you are interested in when it will be in your area go to the website emmasmithmovie.com and you can find out. He told of many things that happened to show the Lord's hand in helping them to accomplish their goals. Once when they were getting ready to film a scene on a river boat in the Emma Smith movie, they found only one riverboat that was still available, the other was lost in hurricane Katrina. They needed three days to set up, film and clean up, and the boat had only 3 times available for the setting. He chose a day in early spring, they tried to dissuade him for a later date because the weather there is still not good, but he felt that was the day they should use. On Monday when they were setting up, it was a bad rainy day, it didn't look good for the shoot. Everyone was praying for a good day the next day, he said he didn't sleep much that night as it was pouring all night. They got things together and set up and were prepared, and the sun came out and it was a beautiful day, all day while they were shooting, and they were able to get all of the work done, and the next day when they were cleaning up it was back to rain. He said it was the only good day in that area in over a two month period. Another time, they were doing a shoot in the holy land with President Hinckley, they had made arrangements for the shoot at the garden tomb. Everything was in place and space was limited. He said he gave Sister Hinckley a small portable screen so that she could see what they were filming. When the were finished, she said, Isn't he the just the cutest. He thought that might come from a teenager not a person that had been married many years, he was so impressed with their love and care for each other. And one more story, I wish I could tell them as good as he did, since I wasn't there and my memory isn't what it used to be, I will do my best. The department was making a film on each of the 12, and they were going to do a part for Neal A. Maxwell, it was when he was undergoing chemo and he had become considerably weak. Elder Maxwell wanted to do his at an observatory in Southern Calif, they arranged for everything to be there and Elder Maxwell was escorted from SLC to Calif. He wanted to show that this is a world wide church. When they arrived, they were greeted by a woman there who was extremely knowledgeable about the universe. As they were walking down the hall, there were murals along the hall and Elder Maxwell began to tell her about each picture as they walked passed it. She was very impressed with his knowledge and sent and aid to fetch all of the other professors on the compound to come and hear Elder Maxwell. They all came and were very impressed and finished the shoot. Then when they were finished, Elder Maxwell asked him if he had the names of all of those who were there, he said when he got home he wanted to send them all "The Book". And many other things I have forgotten. There was also a missionary there who sang a song that his son had written when he was in the Holy Land at the Tomb. "He is not here!" he is risen. It was very impressionable and the missionary had a great voice, we were all moved.
Earlier that day (Thursday) I had picked up ingredients to make a fruit salad with instant Jello pudding in it. I ran to the house a noon time to put it together so it would be relatively fresh for the potluck. Well, somehow the Jello had not gotten into the grocery bag at the market.And then I cut my finger on one of the cans and had to go the the market for jello AND bandaids, and this took much longer that one hour for lunch. It was a great day anyway.
Poor Jared ( my helper at the condo) was trying to remove this 120 X 48 inch mirror. He stumbled on a board we have had there (I don't know where it came from) and the mirror broke every where. That's one way to get the mirror out. I am just happy no one was hurt.
And, yesterday, I talked to Taylor. He was traveling from PHX to Silver City, we had a nice long talk as he was driving thru Safford. I so much enjoy talking to my children. He had done very well and I am proud of his effort to do good.
I also talked to Ashley this morning, she said maybe Whitney would come up here and stay with them for a while. This would be good as she does need help, she has been having to go to the hospital each afternoon for a couple of hours to learn what she needs to do to take care of Sam when he goes home. They need someone to take care of the baby. By the way, he sure is cute and is really growing. This Saturday, Sam will be going home for dinner. Everyone is quite excited and I am sure he is too, that ole hospital must get pretty tiring..
Marissa is feeling much better, and has been going to work part time, the cake is still baking.
My friend YLonni went to St. George this weekend, I sure would have like to have gone with them. I get to teach a Sunday School lesson on Sunday so was unable to go, I would have enjoyed the warmer weather.
Love you,
Zgranee

Move In This Week

Things are not exactly finished, but good enough to move in. It will take a while to clear away the dust. Linda has moved many things in, she has all of the household goods, and last night I bought a bed so I'M ready. All I need is a place to sleep and take a shower, food is optional at this point and you can grab something anywhere or everywhere.
Last night I had to make an emergency run to PF Chaings to get Marissa some WonTon Soup, she said it was the only thing that sounded good. She has been feeling better and returned to work part time for this week, and if she is back to par, full time next week. Mason took Friday, Monday and Tuesday off for a break, Marissa used all of her vacation time so he took the few days he had. Yesterday, he painted his office downstairs blue and white. It looks nice. The bed I bought was a King size, they (Marissa and Mason) are trying it out and if they like it, I will take their Queen size. Seems Marissa would like more room, she has always like the whole bed since she was a child, if you slept with her you got the edge and she had the rest of the bed. At least, it has been fun to chide her all these years as being the bed hog.
Helen left yesterday, she was here for a week for her birthday. On Thursday she turned 30 years old. I told her the thirties are the best years, you finally have enough sense to enjoy and appreciate the good things in life. It will be an interesting journey, none the less. We had fun spending time together, sometimes I think she was bored when I had to work, and she spent a few days sitting with Marissa. One afternoon, she went to Thanksgiving Point with YLonni to see the tulips, only they aren't out yet as we are experiencing a colder than average winter. We went on Friday and both of us had hair cuts, she took one look at the hairdresser and said "is that who is going to cut our hair???". He did a good job any way and she was quite pleased as he showed her how to use the diffuser and make her frizzy hair, curly. She was delighted. She went to church with us older missionaries on Sunday, and I took her to the devotional yesterday morning before we went to the airport. Elder Jensen was speaking. He gave us the history of the Church Historian, a position to which he has been called. It was very interesting. We are so fortunate, the church records everything so there is no secrecy, and everything is available to everyone. All talks etc, have to go through curriculum to make sure the doctrine is always correct. This gives me, at least, security that what I am being taught is always correct principles.
Ashley and Sam are doing well. Helen and I went to see Sam, he was feeding himself and eating watermelon. He had a regular fork that had been bent and slipped into a cloth pocket wrapped around his hand and he could maneuver the fork and feed himself. He had an egg salad sandwich which I cut up for him to eat easier. He seemed to be doing well. He has about a month more of hospital stay and therapy. Now, Ashley is supposed to go week days one to three PM and is receiving training on how best to help Sam. Carol is here this week (until Thursday) and is watching Baby Benjamin, but when she leaves, Marissa will meet Ashley at the hospital and help with the baby. He is getting so cute and should have been named Sam Junior. Ashley is such a good little mother, I am so proud of these two kids, they are always positive and looking forward and upward. I am sure they are overwhelmed at times but they stride onward.
IF you are blogging, check out Karen and Ben's blog, johnsonconcoction.blogspot.com for the latest news on house and baby. She also has some very cute pics of their family and Rogers wedding.
One more thing, Helen and I went to the Salt Lake Temple, it was the first time she had been through a live session and she loved it. Her mom on the other hand had a bad case of dropsy. We were a few minutes early and so I told Helen I would take a quick 10 Minute nap and then I would not sleep through the session. Well, I couldn't wake up. Every time we had to move to another room, I quickly fell back to sleep, and Helen kept having to elbow me to keep me doing things when I needed to do them. I just could not stay awake. I'm sure if I were taking a nap at home I would not have slept so well.
Well, I will sign off for now.
Much love
zgranee

Wednesday Already, Whew!!!

I wish the days wouldn't pass by so quickly. I have been so busy since then, that it seems conference weekend was a long time ago. Today is no different, its already 4:25p. I was so happy to get to go to conference on both Saturday and Sunday AM. It is nice to watch on TV, but it is great to be there in person. The music is incredible. My TV doesn't even touch the wonder of the music that fills the Conference Center. It touches and fills my soul too. I am so thankful for that beautiful music, and it is fun to watch for Bruce and Vivienne. This Sunday we got a full shot of Bruce at the end of a song, it was great. In the afternoons, I watched with Marissa. She was and still is on rest mode.
On Monday they implanted two of the eggs. I was going to post them but Marissa said "NO", isn't that neat though, they took pictures of the embryos and gave them to Marissa & Mason. By the way, I was in trouble for telling you how many eggs, Marissa said that was "too much information". So disregard that info. OK!! Anyway, she is on rest, can't move around only to go to the potty, and she does that as she has to drink lots of liquid. Even Gatorade!!!! That stuff is horrible to me, it would surely kill me if I drank as much as she is and she has drunk gallons of it.
I forget the date when she goes in to test if it is a pregnancy. She still has to take a shot everyday. Then if the procedure takes, and she is pregnant, more shots.
I must admit though that she is taking it all in stride and doing well.
I sat with her yesterday,wellllllll, I wouldn't actually call it sitting. I vacuumed both floors, cleaned two bathrooms and put the old rug downstairs and the new rugs came so I put them upstairs. I was one tired momma. In between, we watched a great movie "Ladies in Lavender". It is an English film, I had seen it before it is quite good if you get a chance to see it. Marissa felt bad because I was doing all the work, I told her not to worry. Oh, the reason I am working is that today the adoption lady comes for a home visit. We were trying to make everything spiffy. Anyway, it is good incentive to get the house in order and clean.
On Tuesday, the carpet men came in and put in the carpet. Last night, the electrician came and finished the electrical work. On Saturday, the trim man ran out of trim so they went to get some more today and hope to finish the trim soon.
After the trim, all that is left is the painting. I am hoping to move in this weekend as Helen comes on Monday the 14th. I have to come to work to rest. Ha!Ha!
For those of you not in the SLC area, it is Apr 9th and this AM was 36 degrees and rain, cloudy and rainy all day, and snow, more snow on the mountains. They are closing some of the ski areas this weekend. Taylor said he may come up next week to go snowboarding. He is in-between projects. Work is going well, and everyone survived conference weekend. It ran smoothly without any major problems. We do have quite a professional crew and I am happy for them.
D&C 101:16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in my hands; be still and know that I am God. Sometimes, life gets so hectic, we need to take a few minutes to be calm and feel the spirit.
Know that I love you,
Zgranee

Joy in the Morning!

Tomorrow morning we will have the honor of a solemn assembly to sustain President Monson as President of the Church. It doesn't matter where you are you can still add your vote. I am so excited as I have two tickets to go and my friend ylonni is going with me. Everyone here on this floor, audiovisual and translation have been working so hard to get everything in place for this weekend. There are general authorities, area 70's and presidents here from all around the world for this special occasion. The building has been bustling with people everywhere, and many of them visited our department. A once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I am so thankful to be here.
The cabinets are in and it looks so nice. The man did a great job. This weekend, Mason will finish the painting, and a gentleman will come on Saturday and put in the baseboard, the carpet is scheduled for Tuesday and I'm in!!!
On Wednesday Marissa when to the doctor and the were able to harvest 16 eggs, they have been fertilized and 2 of the best ones will be implanted on Monday. She has to stay down for seven days. Please say and extra prayer for her, she has worked so hard for this. Night before last when Mason gave her her first shot, she was crying and so was I, it isn't easy to see your children in pain, especially a softee like me.
I was excited to get an email from Karen saying she is now a blogger, she always has such great emails on the kids antics and their goings and comings I look forward to reading them. Good Work Karen.
Much love to you all.
Granee

Joy in the morning.

Spring?????????

These crazy spring days.
On the positive side, it has been warmer, I'm still surviving.
Some great news, Heather and Dave have a new baby Boy, named Elijah (Eli for short), born Thursday 27 March. He was still in the hospital yesterday, he has pneumonia, I guess this happens to babies who are early and are born by ceaserean birth. But the mom is doing well, and was able to nurse him for the first time. He is in the baby ICU unit so we haven't been able to see him, only pictures but he is beautiful. He has a red hair potential. Heather and Dave produce the cutest boys. Contrats to them and good news her parts are still good. What a blessing to have these new wonderful spirits in our family.
By the way, I have all this news because I talked to Grandpa (Bubba) yesterday. Also, a great report on Roger's wedding in Silver City, it all went well. They saw Chuck my brother. They are back home and very busy again.
A set back on the condo, the cabinets didn't get here in time. So now the new date for install of incorrect cabinets is Thursday. The electrician can't come until Monday, I don't know if I have to reschedule the carpet until another day as he is coming on Tuesday. Yesterday, I finished another closet I have one left to paint. I will be happy to be so close to work. I'm very tired of the one hour commute.
At work I have been very busy as everyone is busy getting ready for conference. I hope you are getting ready too. My friend Yvonne has been concerned that she is unable to help me, I told her she is helping, she always has something good for me to eat, even if it is at 9 at night. Last night she had pinto beans and hotdogs, now how much better can you get than that, add a little chili peppers and walla, a kings dinner. (oops, a queen's dinner)
This morning, I received an email from my dear one who went to California for spring break (along with a million other people) I can't wait to hear of all of their adventures. These girls are so lucky to have parents that do so many things with them, and on a shoe-string-budget,too. She is amazing in my eyes.
I was talking to Alisa (Marissa's neighbor & Friend) and she showed me her blog and challenged me to write "100 things about me", so I will put it on my blog when I am finished. This is not an easy task to find 100 interesting things about yourself, if you have any ideas, let me know, it is going slow. I have more pictures to post, maybe next time I will take the time to post them.
Scripture: 3 Nephi 9:13-15
13 ...will you not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
14 ...if ye come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arem of mercy is extended towards you and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
15. Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God....
What love!!
Have a great day and know that I love you.

Good Folks

27 March 2008
Do you see how quickly time is marching by. I have been on my mission nearly 6 months and still don't have diggs. Soon though.
Just wanted to tell everyone the new things on Sam. He has begun to have feelings in his left triceps. This is very important as he needs these muscles to self transport. The feeling and movement isn't constant, but we are hoping that eventually it will be. This is a great step forward in helping him to be more self-sufficient. His brother is now in training to be able to help take care of him when he is released. He and Ashley both remain positive.
Yesterday, Ashley and Carol went over to the Taggarts (The young man who as had the same kind of injury-2 years ago-his father works here in the Audiovisual Department, I told you about him in an earlier blog.)and they showed them all the adjustments they had made to their home for Joseph. They were so wonderful, helpful, informative, kind, etc. Carol said immediately they made them feel like family. They were able to give Ashley lots of information about resources, this will save Ashley much time in finding out things they need to help get life going for them. Joseph and Sam have become friends and he has been to the hospital talking to the therapisis, he is going to school, and he has friends who have been to China and been through the stem cell treatment, with the results. This too is very encouraging to Sam and Ashley. These two great young people have taken on this tremendous task with a good attitude and much faith. I am so very proud of them both. Baby Benjamin is growing, he is soo cute. I tried to take his picture last night but he was too interested in eating dinner. Please, when you have time send a
card or call ( if your Verizon its free time). The members of Ashleys ward gave her a baby shower, after the fact, and gave her many nice nice gifts. Mostly, she was so impressed with her generosity, she couldn't figure out why the were doing these nice things for her, which she didn't deserve. Silly girl!!
The condo is coming along so nicely. We are waiting for the cabinets (mistake ones) to come in hopefully Friday so we can install them on Monday. The electrician will be there then to finish the electricity. My great painters (Mason & Marissa) are at it full force. I went this morning and picked up some more paint. Called Roto Rooter for a plugged drain we found in the 2nd shower. They will be there tomorrow AM.
I had a call from Denise yesterday, it was so nice to hear her voice. We are both busy and I appreciate her calls. Her friend had to make a trip to the emergency room but she is doing better now.
Marissa has started her 3 shots a day now. I hope it is worth it and they get a baby.
I love you,
Zgranee

3-24-08

Happy Birthday to both my brothers-in-law, Willie and Billie. Both of them are great guys, that is to put up with my sisters who come from the same family I come from therefore, I know how stubborn we can be. Great going guys. Both of these couples have been married for longer than they would like me to tell years, that in and of itself is an accomplishment. I surely didn't make it that long. My hats are off to you both rather all.
On my last blog, I told you that Sam had received feeling in his thumb and finger, I failed to tell you that he doesn't yet have movement. We are hoping for that to follow. I went by the other night for my run of noodles and he had a room full of friends. It made me feel good for him. It can be awfully lonely in a hospital for long periods of time. If you have a good movie you like, you could send it to him. I would be happy to deliver it for you.
Hope you had a great Easter Day! We (Me, Marissa and Mason) went over to Bruce and Viv's for dinner. It was great to be there with all of the little ones running around, my they are precious. There was a big easter egg hunt, the big ones enjoyed that, and everyone had candy and other goodies. We learned that Eric's wife had surgery for gall-bladder removal. She is recooperating well. Heather, David Sullivans wife had to have 2 shots to help the baby to develope his lungs more and then hopefully this Thursday they will take the baby by cesearan birth.
Later on in the evening I went over to my friend Sr. Lonni's and we watched "Emma", the continuing saga of Jane Austen. I love these old english films. I picked up a fun mystery set called "Rosemary and Tyme". I love a good mystery.
Mason and Marissa worked hard on Saturday and now most of the painting is finished. We still have a few miscellaneous closets, the ceiling in the living room/kitchen and when I pickup the trim, we will paint it and Mason will put in in. The rest of the cabinets will be in later this week, then on the 31st, the electricians will come, and then inspection, then the carpet on the 1st or 2nd. I may be in by conference time.
love you,
zgranee

Great Newz!!

Talked to Ashley, Sam has feeling in his thumb and pointer finger, the will probably move him to a C6. This is wonderful news, he can do so many more things. They are learning about stem cell research and it is giving them hope.
Hope:
Alma 7:
40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning ahope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?
41 And what is it that ye shall ahope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have bhope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life ceternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
42 Wherefore, if a man have afaith he bmust needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.
43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be ameek, and lowly of heart.
44 If so, his afaith and hope is vain, for none is bacceptable before God, save the cmeek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and dconfesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
• • •
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be dpurified even as he is pure. Amen.
Amen for me too!!

Rainy Thursday!

It has been raining off and on since around 7am. It smells heavenly. The pansies in front of the COB (Church office building) are peeking out and they are so pretty.
No news on Sam today. I talked to Carol and she said Ashley ran out of minutes on her cell phone so she turned it off, so I couldn't call her. I hope she is doing well too.
I didn't go by the hospital yesterday as Marissa was very sick from this terrible flu and I went home to be with her to keep her company until Mason got home. He was coming home later than usual. Does the flu make you grouchy too, that is besides miserable with chills, fever, hurting everywhere, coughing etc. I do think she had all the symptoms. She had belated sympathy for Mason who was sick with the same stuff last week. I surely hope I don't get it. I told Sister Lonni that I probably wouldn't get it, I have an autoimmune disease so my body just attacks itself. (Ha! Ha!)
Everyone around here is getting ready for General Conference Apr. 5 & 6. I did not realize the work it took to offer conference to the world. It is now broadcast in over 97 languages, and it takes 850 plus people to translate all of the languages. These people are all around the world. It takes .4 of a second for the transmission from translation anywhere in the world to the broadcast. It is amazing.
"Some workers were reviewing the Church's new satellite receiver from Wegener Communications. The new version of their receiver can handle multilanguage subtitles (http://www.wegener.com/PRODUCTS/UNITY/unity_550.php), this will be critical as the Church works to meet the needs of members throughout the world. General Conference is in over 90 languages now and the number will grow. Tim has been pushing satellite subtitles so that in addition to meeting the needs of the hearing impaired, each audience can see the scripture text or other written text/graphics in their own language. This will now be possible as we develop the subtitling system using this new satellite receiver. ." (Mosiah 3: 20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.)


I copied this info (above in quotes)for you to read so you could see the extent the church goes to so that each person can see and hear in their own tongue. Pre-production and performance and Post-production just from our department takes many people working together. Then something like President Hinckleys funeral, an unexpected event, has the same amount of production only in a shorter amount of time. If you saw the funeral, you saw that everything was run with precision. My, I am learning things everyday. I try to learn all I can, I am able to get lots of exposure to learning I have a giant problem in retaining. Oh Well!!!!!

A bit of trivia I got off of mormontimes.com:
Who sets the date for Easter? The date of Easter actually is determined by the sun and the moon, and some rules put in place at the Nicene Council in
AD 325. The council decided Easter will occur on the first Sunday after the first full moon after vernal equnox (first day of spring). It can fall anywhere between March 22nd and April 25th. The most common day for easter is March 31. The date is quite random.
I am doing well, and busy, which I like. Love you all. Zgranee

3-12-08

Yesterday, I lost half of my blog. Don't know how! I had told you about Sam, he had lost 23 pounds in the three weeks. He weighed 165 and now is 142, it upset him very much. It looks mostly like muscle loss, which he will regain over time, he may even loose more weight over time. Last night I took him some more noodles, but he was in a spinal cord injury meeting so I just left the food and went home. They (Ashley & Sam) have a meeting with Social Security today. There are so many odds and ends to take care of for them. They think he will be in the hospital 5 to 7 weeks, and the people whose apartment they rent are fixing it up for him to stay there. They have so much support from neighbors and members of the ward. What a wonderful thing to see all the help people are willing to give. If you will email me or call me, I will give you their address at home so you can write a note of encouagement to them. The hospital address is:
IHC (Intermountain Healthcare)
Patient: Sam Harrison #1215
5022 South State Street
Murray UT 84107
Some old news: Jared and Katie Sullivan had boy #7, Monday 3/3/08,his name is Shane Leroy Sullivan. Jared and Katie have found a home in Carlsbad and hope to close on it in May, she will be able to move there as soon as school is over, the ind of May. Heather, Dave Sullivan's wife is supposed to have her baby by cesarean birth on 3/18/08.It will be a boy and his name is Elijah. Will give you more info as it comes in. Denise told me that Tiffany my granddaughter will be having another baby. I have 2 grandchildren (girls) and that will make me 4 great grandchildren. (So far, all girls).
Condo update, all closets and 2 rooms walls washed and ready for paint. Moving along.

There is a bad flu going around, some in my department have it, and Marissa has it, she is miserable, she went to the Dr. yesterday has a terrible sinus infection and the flu. The worse part you just have to go thru the course of the flu. Yuck!

I love you,
Zgranee

Oops!!

Right in the middle of a sentence I goofed. I haven't gotten used to this blogging yet. If I work at it, I'll be a pro so bear with me as I work at it.
We were talking about Sam, I stopped on the way to the hospital and picked up some noodles for him. I think he is starving for good (not hospital) food. One was a Mushroom Strogganoff, the other was with some veggies. He was happy, and Ashley fed Sam while I was holding the baby. While I was holding him (the baby, silly) on my shoulder, he could hear Ashley talking and he was trying so hard to turn around and see her. They both seem to be in good spirits and talking of stem cell research, this is a good thing, looking to the future. The young man, Joseph I told you about is going to China to do the stem cell thing I think in may. Look on my earlier blog, his blog address in there, look him up and read his story,it is quite interesting..
Condo update. The cabinets are in, they look great, if I ever remember I will take a pic and post it for you. The tile is finished and sealant applied yesterday. The Grout Doctor finished the showers. Now, painting... I have washed some of the walls as the place if full of dry wall dust, I cleaned the cement floors with the wonderful woodlike stuff that keeps the dust down. Swept the ceilings, they are too rough to wash, and I can't do that stuff any more anyway so paint only is what it gets.
Mason was sick last week and Marissa was sick Sunday, and is still sick Tuesday. Flu bug going around, Taylor is doing better.
Me, darn feet!!!!

Saturday is a Special Day

I don't know why, but it is always wonderful when Saturday rolls around. I have a completely different schedule on Saturday. Sometimes, if I am lucky, I can have my laundry already done and do different things, besided Cinderella chores. This AM, I plan on going to the condo and wash walls, soon, we will be able to paint, I plan on going to the hospital to see Sam, he asked me to bring him something with noodles, I don't think they feed him enough. Anyway, there is a Noodles cafe close to the hospital, I thought, I could go there often and take him different kinds of pasta, and they would be hot still. I am so brilliant!!, and a plus, I don't have to cook it as I don't have a kitchen yet. ( poor excuse) He also wanted some fruit, so I think I will take him some strawberries too, He can eat those at random. He looks good and says he is working hard to get where he is supposed to be. He says to tell everyone thanks for your love and concern and your prayers, and that he loves you all. What a great kid he is, mostly concerned about his wife (Ashley) and the baby.

Taylor called me yesterday morning, he was in great pain as he thought he had kidney stones, he was on the way to the hospital. I talked to him later, they drugged him for the pain and gave him some medication. I think he slept most of the day, when I checked on him in the evening, he was still groggy. He was in Globe, Marissa says they should have given him a CT scan, but he doesn't have insurance soooooo. Maybe when he returns to PHX he can go see a urologist. I have seen Marissa in pain from kidney stones so I know how really painful they can be.

Tile finished, cabinets in, and measured for the contertops, purchased sinks yesterday. Moving along, There is a lot of trash that needs to be hauled away.
This morning, I finished my laundry, Marissa went running, Mason is sleeping, he has the flu and feels miserable, he missed two days work. So I am trying to be quite, not an easy chore for the Bang-Clank Queen. Hope you have a great day.
I love you.

Nearly Spring Wednesday

This is Sam, two days after the accident(Bottom). The top picture is Sunday when he blessed the baby.

It is a great day outside. Still a bit cool but tolerable.
Hi everyone!
A busy day and just noontime. We had a department devotional this morning. It was a special one as one of the original members of the department is retiring the 20th of this month and was asked to write a history of the department. It was very informative. He showed a Star Wars like clip about the department that was quite entertaining, they had created it in abt. 1986. It was interesting to see the progress from no computers to all of the modern equipment we have now. The audiovisual department has become an integral part of the churchs ability to reach people. It is technical and creative, and I am learning a lot. The people I work with are wonderful.

Yesterday, I learned that one of the department had a son who had a spinal cord injury 2 years ago, someone in the department had asked him to have his son go and visit Sam, which he did on Monday. I heard they hit it off, I think it will be good for Sam to know someone who is in his situation and can relate to some of the things he is going through. If you would like to visit this young man's blog it is ( josephtaggart.blogspot.com) and you can read about this accident and how he is doing now. Perhaps this will make you feel better too. It is a difficult thing that happened to these young men, but they both have great attitudes about the future. Joseph's dad said the thing that was the greatest accomplishment in his life was his son's attitude. I felt this was a wonderful way to feel as a father. I think that Sam's dad could say the same thing as Sam has such a "can do" attitude. Both of these young men have served missions consequently, they both have strong faith in Jesus Christ.

Today, they are installing the cabinets at the house. They should finish by tomorrow and we can start painting ( the worst job).

Carol (my sister-in-law) flew to PHX this morning and will drive to Silver City tomorrow to drive back her to help Ashley next week sometime. I think Ashley is exhausted trying to do everything. The hospital is taking care of Sam, perhaps we should see to Ashley's needs too, especially with that new baby. IF you call me, I will give you their address.

3-3-08

I have to pass this on quickly before I forget it. I just talked to Annette and she said Heather was fixing breakfast for Dianne, (Dianne has been testing all week at school) Dianne said she needed a good breakfast so she could do well on the tests. Heather said she would peel an orange for her, Dianne said she didn't need a whole orange, Heather said yes you will be smart all day, to which Dianne responded I only have to think until noon. So Heather gave her half of the orange. I laughed and laughed. She is so smart for only 8 years old. She also asked her Mother if was ever going to get baptised before she was 9. I told her mom I would see if I could get permission from President Halverson to go home for her baptism. Can you tell if I am looking for excuses for warm weather.
We had crazy weather on the weekend. It was nice and warm all day Saturday, I pulled into the car wash and it was 55 degrees out side. I pulled out and headed home and it was 45degrees. Soon it started snowing like a blizzard. It snowed until about 11pm. It was a very wet snow. On Sunday AM I was going to get in the truck and had a hard time opening the door, it had frozen shut. There went my wash job. Oh well, the windows are clean.
Sunday was a special day. At 9AM we met at the hospital as Sam was going to bless baby Benjamin Alexander Harrison. Wow, What a long name for such a tiny baby. It was fast meeting and the hospital has a branch on Sunday mornings. It is in the Murray Stake and 38 couples are assigned to the hospital. They are to visit the patients in the hospital each day and see to their needs. On Sunday there were 101 members in the hospital. The Branch President announced that this was the first time they had ever blessed a baby, the older women who usually came to the hospital had stopped having babies. (everyone laughed). The nurse brought Sam in to the meeting, he wasn't in his fancy wheelchair, he was in one they could lay him down in as he still gets tired quickly. He blessed the baby and both grandfathers were there, friends, cousins, brothers. It was a very special blessing. You could feel the spirit so strongly in his voice. If you did not see him in a wheel chair, you could not tell from the sound of his voice that he was ill. Afterword, we went to the 12th floor and everyone met there. We took pictures of them holding the baby. He is such a good baby, never a wimper from him. We left around 11 and went home and grabbed our salad fixings and headed over to the luncheon. The luncheon was at Ashley's grandma LouAnn's club house. It was very nice there. The food looked delicious, and they had cheese cake, too bad I was fasting. I stayed until 12:30 and went to my ward down town.
Sterling was there, I haven't seen him in some time, he looked real good, He is getting all grown up and mature looking. I forget he and T are going to be 25 this year. I guess its ok if they begin to look mature at that age. They probably think 25 is getting up there, but from my point of view is looks pretty young, I can't even remember back that far. I was just trying to think what I was doing when I was 25. I was married to Dan, and we lived in ABQ, I was working at the Buick dealership there that was 1970'. Other than that, I can't think of anything significant about that year.
Everyday at work, I distribute the mail. All of the mail that comes to this floor. We (the audiovisual department) occupy the west side of the 21st floor, and the translation department has the east side of the floor. Every work day, a young man on the translation side receives the BYU news paper "Daily Universe". Well, not wanting to waste paper, I help him recycle it by reading it before I give it to him. Anyway, there was an article in there about Sam. I went online and copied it so you could read it.
Here it is:
BYU student Sam Harrison was just adjusting to his role as the father of a one-month-old baby boy, when his life took another dramatic turn.
Feb. 16 Harrison was seriously injured in a snowboarding accident and was life-flighted to the University of Utah hospital.
An MRI and X-rays showed his neck broken in several places and damage to the protective layer around his spinal cord. Though his spinal cord is fine, Harrison is currently paralyzed. Doctors said it would be a miracle for him to walk again.
Thankfully, Sam and his wife Ashley said they believe in miracles.
Friends said Harrison mistook a large jump for a hill, caught too much air and landed on his head.
"Thankfully he was wearing a helmet so his head was protected," Ashley Harrison said. "Sam is not a daredevil."
At first, Harrison only had feeling just past his elbows and from his sternum upward. By Feb. 19, he had feeling down to his wrists in both arms and was able to breathe without a ventilator.
It was on this day that Harrison told his wife, "Ashley, I am not going to be a cripple. I am going to walk again."
Harrison was then moved to the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray to begin rehabilitation. He will be there for at least three months.
The story of Sam Harrison is available at www.donateforsam.org where donations can also be made. By the fifth day after being established, $10,000 had been donated. Sam, Ashley, and baby Benjamin greatly appreciate all prayers and donations.

It was a long day, I went to YLonni's after church and veged. She went over to her Sons for a while and I just sat there thinking through the day. We watched "Persuasion" on Masterpiece Theater. I went home about 10:30 and got to bed by midnight. Not to bad, but a full day.

Today, Juan has grouted all of the tile he has laid so far. He still has the hallways and a small piece in the North bedroom. The cabinets are supposed to be here on the 4th and will install on 5th or 6th. The contractor finished with the wall repair and stucco today. They had a difficult time matching the brick color. I think it will be OK.
This morning for our Monday morning devotional Elder Coleman spoke to us. Elder Coleman was my seminary director when I taught seminary in Grants. He told of his conversion. He had been a good member of his church and was an alter boy for 12 years. He said he had been looking into mormonism for a year and no one gave him a Book of Mormon. He said finally a missionary gave him a marked one. ( I don't know if you remember the blue Bof M with the picture of the Angel Moroni on the front.) He said he only read 87 verses, and he received a testimony. He said the markings started him on page 19 and then on to page 59, and some others inbetween, then on to 3 Nephi 11, and finally ending in Moroni with the challenge. He said he took the challenge and received a significant testimony. It changed his life. It was very moving. I had tears, of course, he had tears, and many others all of us remembering our precious testimonies when the spirit witnessed to us the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.