Week Ending April 12, 2013

Sunday we got ready and drove to the stake center for conference. We were in time for most of the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast and enjoyed it. We had a picnic between sessions in the seminary room. Another family had apparently made a picnic as well because they came wandering through after about an hour. We visited and discussed various things for the rest of the break. After conference we took a picture of a family whose daughter is leaving Tuesday on a mission. We also showed them the DVD their daughter is in. She had made it last fall at BYU, but she had thought it wasn’t going to be used for a couple of years. They had a good laugh about that. We then went to visit the Relief Society president for a bit. Her husband is away on a bike trip for a couple of months and Ted feels like she needs to be visited more than usual. She’s a sweet lady. She and her son are going to paint their house while her husband is away. The paint is orange with brown trim.

At conference they announced that they went from 58k missionaries to 64k currently serving with 20k more that have calls but have not yet entered the MTC. This is just in the last 6 months since the age change was announced. What a huge difference. They said that when they met to assign mission calls the Thursday after conference, they already had several hundred that had done all the medical stuff, filled out the paper work, and had the interviews, and were ready to be called. That is amazing. Many bishops and stake presidents had full calendars just to interview potential missionaries.

Monday we packed some of our stuff. We took all the pots and blankets and figurines out of their normal places and boxed them up. We have two big piles of boxes, much more than I had anticipated. The pile continued to grow throughout the day as we added stuff to go. Ted put a pile of shirts and pants on the bed. I’m concerned that he is so concerned about getting rid of stuff that he isn’t keeping the things he needs.

In the afternoon the Relief Society president called to say a sister’s mom had passed away and she’d been asked to help dress the body. She is really sensitive and I’m not sure how she will get through it. I asked if she’d like me to help. She nearly cried she was so relieved. I called the sister and expressed my condolences to her. She asked if I had ever dressed a body and I told her I had helped with my mom. She asked if I would be willing to help. I agreed. At least now I can be there by invitation.

I wanted to take bread to the children of the deceased lady—three of them are in our branch. It was sort of late, but I made three loaves of bread. I also decided to try a cookie recipe to bake while the bread was rising. It turned out OK, but the cookies had to finish baking after the bread so I was up late.

Snow in April

Tuesday we woke to snow. We had planned to go see Jack Surprise today, so we were glad we’d gone previously. When the snow slowed a bit we drove to the three homes and delivered bread and sympathy cards to the families. I spent the rest of the day studying.

Wednesday I studied most of the day, putting some degree of organization to my upcoming lesson for Saturday. We were supposed to read with a family, but we got a call in the afternoon asking us to move to Thursday because they were having a birthday party this evening. We told them I had a conflict at the time they suggested so we decided to postpone for two weeks. They invited us to come to the swim center and join the group for dinner at 6:30. I had my makeup seminary class at 7 PM so we figured that wouldn’t work. It gave us a couple of extra hours at home to get things done.

We went to the church in plenty of time for seminary. I got everything set up then walked around in the Cultural Hall thinking about things while I waited for my student to come. At 7:10 I tried calling then texting to see if she was coming. When I saw someone drive into the parking lot I was quite relieved. My relief was short lived—it was the counselor in the branch presidency coming to help out if he was needed. My student never came. I felt badly, especially since we’d missed the birthday party. 

Colorful blankets

Thursday I was going to help the family dress their mother in the afternoon. I had planned to do some quick shopping afterward. The daughter called to say that the dressing was at 2 PM instead of 1 PM. Since we had several errands to run, Ted and I took a trip into town to take care of everything. When we returned home I quickly finished up a project I was working on. The Relief Society president came a bit early to go to the dressing so we could visit with the family. I was really proud of her. She said she’d been talking to herself all morning. She does not do well around death and especially not when it is someone she has known.

When we got to the mortuary we were about 10 minutes early and none of the family was there. The family began to arrive about 10 minutes after 2. The women who were helping went into a chapel where they had brought the body. The three sisters sort of cried a little and kissed their mom. It was touching. We had a prayer offered by the youngest sister that was beautiful. We then began the dressing process. The president and I helped a little. I mostly served as a comfort to the family since I was the only one that had done it before. The sisters and the two granddaughters did all the work. It was a good experience for all of us. When we were finished she looked nice. The rest of the family came in and paid their respects. We left so they could just have a family time. The president bought pizza for the family and for us on the way home, so we delivered that to the daughter’s home where they were all visiting.

A little later than we’d planned we left for Institute at the Stake Center. We were concerned that a) we might be late and b) no one would show because it is Spring Break. We got there about 2 minutes before 7 PM and just before our most loyal student. Two sisters arrived just a bit later. Their cousin was on her way, but her dad had car trouble and she had to rescue him. We had a good discussion about General Conference before starting the lesson. The lesson was really good. It was mostly discussing their feelings about the resurrection and how that pertains to us. Afterward we played games. It was not exciting. We got home around 10 and went to bed.

Friday things just seemed to go funky. I wanted to make bread to take to Jack Surprise. I started measuring the flour and lost count twice. I am pretty sure I ended up with the right amount of flour, but I wouldn’t guarantee it. When I mixed the dough, it was really sticky and very different than it has ever been. I should realize when I do things in a hurry it always takes longer.

As soon as the bread was out and we were ready we drove to Thoreau to see Jack Surprise and take him a loaf. We visited and listened to Peruvian music while he worked on his pottery. I looked at some of the pottery on the table and would loved to have bought some more. There will always be another occasion. Jack was pleased with the bread.

We had received a call from one of the families at Toh-la-kai telling us they wouldn’t be at seminary tonight so I didn’t have a class tonight. Ted still had to teach his class, so I planned to attend that. I checked with the one family I could reach at Ft. Wingate to make certain they were coming to seminary Saturday. I didn’t want any more “no shows”. We were unable to reach the student in Ted's class that had told us she was coming, but we were confident she'd be there. False confidence. We got to Toh-la-kai and waited for about 20 minutes before deciding she wasn't coming. We decided to make it a date night and stopped for ice cream on the way home. 

At home we packed everything we could into the trunk before going to bed Friday. Early Saturday morning we got ready for seminary then finished packing the car. We taught our classes then dropped our stuff at our cottage and headed out for home. It seemed very strange to be heading home, but we were excited to see family again and especially our sweet new granddaughter.

Week Ending April 6, 2013

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day. We had a good crowd at church, about 55 when they were all there. After Sunday School we had our Youth Conference class. After meetings we home taught a lady at the church. The branch is just starting home teaching. We had a good visit with her. Another lady was supposed to let us teach her, but we went too long and she had to go. We went to her home later in the evening and met her daughter and grandchildren.

Monday I spent time putting things together for those who will substitute for me while I’m away in two weeks. I put together the handouts and videos I would like them to use. I also spent time typing my notes from when I taught the lesson before for Toh-la-kai since they always get the lesson 4 weeks after Ft. Wingate. I spent a lot of time cleaning. It’s nice that our home is so small so it doesn’t take a full production to clean it.

Tuesday I spent a lot of time ready the instructor’s manual for seminary and also the institute manual which always offers a lot of good quotes and insights. I have found with Paul’s letters that it helps to read the manuals first so I’m more aware of what he is teaching when I read the scriptures. It has helped to take this approach.

We have had amazing weather the last few days with highs in the 70s. Just to keep us on our toes, today it snowed. It only lasted for about 45 minutes, but it was strange. The temperature was actually 45 so it did not make sense that it was snowing. It was very light and melted on the sidewalk, but it stuck to the ground in a few places.

Wednesday the temperature was below freezing when we got up. Ted had to scrape the windshield when we went to exercise—something he hasn’t had to do for a few weeks. I spent quite a bit of time reading manuals and scriptures. In the evening we went to read with a family. The mom is really intent on learning the gospel. There is a good spirit in their home, so I know the Lord wants to bless her. The daughter told us she is getting baptized on the 20^th. She is really excited.

We headed to seminary and found the building was full of men cleaning carpets and floors. We had to redo the room for seminary, so we set about doing that. When it was time to start no one was there. I called one mom to see if they were coming and she had forgotten about it. I was trying to text the other family when they walked in the door. The lesson went well, but it would have been nicer to have more people there because of the activities I was including in the lesson. I have learned that I need to be very flexible. When the manual suggests group activities, we usually end up doing things in either ones or twos. This activity was supposed to be 5 groups. It turned out that I assigned each of the three students a chapter in Romans, gave one to Ted when he came in, and I took one. It worked out.

Thursday we weren’t able to reach the people we’d planned to visit so we worked at home in the morning. We went to the Iyanbito Senior Center at lunch time and visited with people there, mainly a lady from the branch. She was working on a puzzle when we got there, so I went over to help. There were several pieces missing and several that didn’t belong in that puzzle. I told her it would be better to throw it away and get a new one. She told me they couldn’t throw it away because it was donated. I told her it was not donated to me so I just might throw it away and donate a new one. She said it is good for the mind to work on puzzles that way because you have to really think about it. Interesting thought.

She also had some beadwork necklaces she showed us. They were like beaded medallions with charms hanging on the front. They are very pretty. We got one that had a man on a horse (end of the trail) on the front. She told Ted he could wear it as well as me. I think that’s a little odd, but the men do wear heavy necklaces here. The lady we were with bought a couple from her as well. She gave us a discounted price. I don’t think it was as discounted as some I’ve seen, but I like to support the people here in their efforts.

Lunch was ribs of some kind. It tasted pretty good to me and we enjoyed the visit. We sat at a table with a lady that couldn’t speak English so we just visited with each other and responded to her hand signals, but it was good. Our friend thought she was trying to ask for our empty bones to take home but it turned out she wanted the barbecue sauce.

I arranged to hold another seminary class this evening because the family had forgotten about the one last night. I wish I could get all the kids together again and just teach once, but I would rather do this than have the kids totally out of the program. Last night the missionaries also told me that they are supposed to teach a missionary lesson to all the seminary students. They were going to substitute for me while I was gone, so that would be the perfect time for them to do that. I’m happy about that because I really wanted to teach Ephesians and that’s where we would be that week. I hope next school year is a little smoother about changes and scheduling.

Friday I made bread and cookies. I had wanted to make bread for us for a while, but we always had some so it didn’t make sense. I made a loaf to take to a family this evening so I just kept one for us. I spent most of the day finishing my lesson for seminary tomorrow. I knew which parts I wanted to emphasize, but I needed to figure out how much time to give each one and how to fit it together.

Baking bread and cookies--yummy!

In the evening we had seminary at Toh-la-kai. All four of my students came and they were only 10 minutes late so we were able to get the lesson in. I thought it went well. One of my students had something going on behind his scripture cover so I asked him to put it on another desk. Other than that I think it went OK. Two of my students told me they wouldn’t be here next week—nice to find out in advance. The other two said they weren’t sure since it’s Spring Break. I told them to please let me know before Friday if they weren’t going to be coming. I told them, “If I find myself next Friday standing here in this room all by myself, I will be very sad.”

I also told the ladies who had agreed to substitute that the elders needed to teach a lesson and that would work well while we’re away. I thanked them for their willingness. One was a bit relieved about it, I think, but the other told me she really enjoys doing things like that and would be happy to do it any time I needed her. I wish I had brought all my materials for the lesson with me and I would have had her do it anyway.

Saturday after seminary we dropped our stuff at home and drove to the stake center for General Conference. The speakers were good. I felt rather sad to see how weak Pres. Boyd Packer is. 

Flea Market--Wheels

 

Flea Market--saddles

Flea Market--tires of every kind

During the break between sessions Ted and I went to the Flea Market. (You can get almost anything at the Flea Market.) I got some Fry Bread and enjoyed it, but it is definitely tricky to eat while walking around. We were looking for blankets to match the pillowcases we’d been given at Christmas. The vendor who carried the blanket only had small child-size blankets in the pattern we were looking for. He told us to go by their store where he was sure they would have some. The store was also out of the pattern we wanted but we had a good visit with the girl who worked there. She is Palestinian.

Fry Bread is good--we didn't drink coffee

After conference was over I came home and left Ted to stay for Priesthood Meeting. Afterward he went to eat with all the elders. I was worried because he was so late. I thought they’d forgotten him. I went home and ate dinner, and worked on my crochet project.

Week Ending March 30, 2013

Sunday we were up early so we could review the lesson for the Youth Conference class we held today. I needed to lead the singing. The counselor conducting was a bit nervous since two of his speakers had not shown up yet. I told him I had a talk in my bag if he really needed it. Both speakers showed up, but it wasn’t until 10 minutes into the meeting that the second one arrived. I was relieved because I have the talk but I haven’t really looked at it for months.

 

They announced the baptism of a lady next Saturday at 10 AM. I talked with a family whose daughter is going on a mission about when they were going to the temple. We taught them in temple prep and had planned to go with them. They told me they’ll be going next Saturday at 9 AM. It couldn’t be a worse time. I have seminary right on top of that. I told them about seminary but indicated I would see what I could do. I felt so bad. They really need to have the support and I doubt anyone else will be going.

Road Sign

One big thing was our grandma came to church with her husband, even without her granddaughter who was on a band trip. It was really good to see them. He has something wrong with his shoulder that makes it difficult for him to drive his truck so he is planning to retire. It was monumental to have them come without the granddaughter. I’ve never seen it before.

Road Signs

Late afternoon we drove to visit a family. On the way there was unusual traffic. The bridge out of Ft. Wingate had about 8 cars lined up trying to get onto Highway 66. Normally there might be one other besides us. We noticed there was no traffic on Interstate 40 at all. A few of the cars that drove by on 66 got onto the interstate at our entrance, but none of the trucks did. About ½ a mile up the road we looked over at the interstate and saw a backup of at least 100 trucks and a few cars. It went on for as far as we could see. As we drove on we saw flashing lights and emergency vehicles. There was a lot of litter and a large truck was on the shoulder with its back end destroyed. As we passed we saw the ambulance pull away but it didn’t have any flashing lights or siren going. Not good. 

Road Sign

The lady we went to visit was outside trying to fix the door handle on her car. A friend had told her how to take off the door liner to get at the insides, and she was doing a good job until the end when it just wouldn’t come off. We tried to help but she decided to stop until someone who knew how could help. We talked to her about her kids and youth conference. They had bought new clothes for the kids and they were all excited to go and then they suddenly just decided not to. She didn’t know what had happened. She said she would try bringing them to church once she gets her car fixed. She thinks maybe if they got to know the others they might feel more like going. On the way out of their area we stopped and took pictures of some of the cute road signs. They were probably made by the school kids in the area.

Road Sign

From there we visited another home. We took a couple of bags of patterns to the wife. A lady’s sister was getting rid of them. She brought out an outfit she’d made of camouflage fabric. It was a nice skirt with a jacket top. It was beautifully sewn and very stylish, but I’m not sure why she picked the fabric she did. And she was disappointed she couldn’t find any more of it.

Road Sign

Monday Ted took the car in for service—I stayed at home and made bread and studied. Ted arrived just in time to eat a quick bite to eat. We were supposed to visit a lady from the senior center. I called to make sure she was home. She was not.

In the evening a family came over. They were about ½ an hour late and we had begun to think they weren’t coming. We had tried calling but couldn’t reach them. I think they must have got the time mixed up because they are usually early for things. Ted gave them a brief home teaching message then we talked about Easter and what Easter was all about. When I asked what Easter was about, the 8-year old said the resurrection of Jesus. The 5-year old said it was “all about bunnies, and jelly beans, and candy.” I guess age brings some perspective. After we talked about the burial of Christ, we made Resurrection Rolls. While they were baking we talked about the resurrection and read a few scriptures together. The rolls didn’t turn out as well as hoped. We didn’t get them sealed well and the marshmallows ran out all over the pan. They still tasted good, but most of the sweet was on the pan.

Tuesday I studied most of the day. We were supposed to visit a home in the evening to share a DVD clip from the youth conference because their daughter is on it. She is leaving on a mission and we wanted to get a picture of them before she leaves. The mom called about 5 PM to say she had to work late and we needed to reschedule. She asked if we would be going to the temple with them on Saturday and I told her we couldn’t make it. After I hung up I felt really bad. I really wanted to be with them and I think they need the support. We talked about it and decided to see if we could get it to happen. We talked to our seminary students and they all said they could make it on Wednesday when we do the makeup class. So we were able to arrange to go to the temple on Saturday. I was so relieved. After that work, we took a loaf of bread to a counselor in the branch presidency. We were grateful we found the right house because we hadn’t been there before. He was just fixing dinner and was grateful for the bread. He’s a good man and we told him how much we appreciated all he did.

Wednesday we had a lady over for lunch. She brought her father since she had to take him to the doctor right after. We had a good visit and I think she enjoyed it. Ted really enjoyed visiting with her dad who is a veteran, even though he is very difficult to understand. I studied in the afternoon and was able to get my lesson together. At 5 PM we went to read with a family. After we left there we went to the church for seminary. We were quite early so we made copies then got things set up. Ted practiced the piano for a while until our one student came. Her brother decided to come on Saturdays again, but he’d already missed that. The girl gave a good effort to answer all the questions. We took turns reading and occasionally asked Ted to help out.

Thursday at Institute I told the students my daughter was in labor and I would be watching my phone. During class she sent word the baby was coming. I told her to race Dad—would she deliver before he finished his lesson. She texted back that the race was on—they were calling her doctor in. I kept watching the clock wondering who would win. Just as Ted finished and was calling on someone to pray I got a text from our son-in-law with a picture of our cute 13^th grandchild. She was born at 7:12 PM LV time. She was 8 lb 1 oz and 20 ½ in long. She’s a doll. It seems the doctor did not get there in time and the nurses had to deliver the baby. All was well and they were feeling good. The baby has lots of dark hair. I announced the birth to the class and they were all thrilled.

Institute Class

Friday we worked at home in the morning. In the afternoon we visited our grandma. We had thought her husband would be there, but he wasn’t. We suggested she talk with him and we would schedule something when we saw them Sunday so we could arrange a time when he could be there.

Our baptismal candidate

After we left her home we stopped at the home of a girl we’d been teaching. Her daughter’s baptism is finally scheduled. From there we did some shopping and got a bite to eat then headed to Toh-la-kai. All four kids came for seminary and we had a fair lesson. They don’t like them to answer questions so it’s a challenge. After seminary we came straight home. We were both exhausted. We put the things away that we’d purchased and organized things for morning and went to bed.

Hot air balloons over Albuquerque

Saturday we were up early and out the door to Albuquerque. When we got near the city we saw several hot air balloons in the sky—a couple very close to the freeway. We got to the temple quickly and had a good session. After the session we visited a bit then left so they could have some family time. We arrived home about 2:15. Ted nearly fell asleep on the way home so I turned off the recording we were listening to and had him tell me stories about when he was in the Navy. It was really interesting. He told people he slept all the way home. Ted was able to take a quick nap while I put stuff away.

Happy Birthday!

At 3 PM we headed to the church for a birthday party. We had a full meal followed by musical chairs. Ted won a prize but gave it to a young boy who really wanted it. I spent most of my time visiting. After the games we had ice cream and cake and the birthday girl opened her gifts. We had bought a stuffed giraffe at the trading post and she really liked that. Afterward we helped clean up. Lots of people stayed so it went quickly. We were very tired and went to bed fairly early.