Let’s celebrate.
Charity
I am in need of this scripture in my life, so I’m memorizing it using the help of these beautiful images from lds.org.
A white morning
We awoke from a long sleep to discover that snow was falling determinedly. We pulled out the winter boots and snow pants and the little boys had a fine time outside. I bundled up and enjoyed the views from inside, thank you very much.
The morning was gray, but once the snow began to stick, the house was illuminated by bright white views from the windows.
All that was left of the snow by evening were the remnants of two snowmen that the boys built and the promise of more cold weather and dreams of snowy play days to come.
Mark and Timothy’s cheeks remained a charming rosy shade for hours after they came inside.
I love watching those little boys play together.
Leaves, leaves, leaves
I’m grateful for three big kids to help clear the leaves from our three enormous cottonwood trees. Things are very hectic here, but taking some time to work in the yard is good medicine for my feelings of stress.
A Baptism Day
My niece Ruby was baptized this weekend. This was the cousin shot, and this was the best they could do to hold still after the loooooooong program. They love each other. Can you tell?
My parents were there and I’m grateful that I can see them so often. Sitting with family at baptisms was a blessing that I missed when we lived far away. That little Ruby is such a pretty and kind little girl! She is learning to speak Chinese, too. Wow.
Halloween Costumes
Introducing…
Thorin Oakenshield
from The Hobbit
and…
Boba Fett
from Star Wars
Daniel dressed up with his friends and roamed the neighborhood.
I went trick-or-treating with the little boys. I have learned that this is the best way to overcome my aversion to Halloween. I don’t have to deal with kids in horror costumes knocking at the door and I get to see my kids having a great time with our neighbors. Our kids are the best company.
NHS
Congratulations to Paige, a new member of the National Honor Society!
Happy Halloween!
Clean
Occasionally we have the opportunity to clean the Draper Temple after hours. This means we go from 9 to 11:30 p.m. or on a Monday afternoon. We have a cleaning supervisor who sees that we are thorough and know what to do. We present our temple recommends to enter and we change into white cleaning clothing. The temple is meticulously cleaned often. In fact, it’s difficult to find any evidence of debris on our cleaning rags and dusters.
On my last trip to clean the temple I was given the task to vacuum the sealing rooms and two additional rooms in the hallway. I spent two hours beneath chandeliers and between mirrors with the afternoon sun coming through the stained glass windows. The air in the temple always feels tight and hushed and even the vacuum cleaner I was given was especially quiet. I suppose that the people who were cleaning bathrooms will receive additional blessings, but I felt pretty blessed that day to be able to spend so much time caring for these beautiful sealing rooms in the House of the Lord.
I envisioned the families who had gathered there to witness marriages. I thought about my own family and my hopes that my children will be married in temples someday. It was a good way to spend an afternoon. I looked into the mirrors. When I see myself in the mirrors at the temple I feel more beautiful than I do at home.
Arrow of Light
Timothy earned his Arrow of Light this month! Can that little Cub Scout shirt get any more decorated?
This is one of Timothy’s Webelos leaders. He has been really good.
From December to May we won’t have a Cub Scout. That will be a change. It also means that Richard will have a small reprieve in Pinewood Derby Car making.