I think Mark had a really fun time on this date with Sarah. This was a girl’s choice dance with many of Mark’s friends. Too cute.
Harvest Dance
Grandson
Paige and Mike are expecting a son, due the first week in April. I think this is the most darling ultrasound photo I have ever seen. (Do I sound like a grandma already or what?)
Gathering to Welcome Tim
Mark’s Medal
Mark has been preparing a piece for a piano competition since June. After his performance before the judges, we received a phonecall that he was invited to perform at the awards recital. Friends, we knew his effort, and we knew that his piece was amazing, but hadn’t considered that we would be coming back to see him receive an award. I don’t know, something about the musical community is just so intimidating. We were thrilled that he received recognition among really great musicians. Mark knows the first place winner through piano lessons, so it was so fun to celebrate both of them as they received their medals.
Lessons from a mission
We listened to Tim speak in church, and here are a few lessons that I wrote down from his talk.
Righteous examples are important.
Prophets are important guides to help us find joy.
And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy,
Mosiah 3:13
Joy comes from inviting people to Christ.
Focus on the rulegiver, Jesus Christ.
Remembering personal and family spiritual experiences can help us during trials.
Spiritual preparation helps during physical trials. He saw people who lost everything in a typhoon, yet they trusted in God and remained strong.
The temple is a beacon of hope.
The Church is more than a building or a unit, it is the people. One one island where he served, there were 3,000 people, and only 5 members, and the Lord was with this tiny gathering of Saints, working miracles in their lives.
The Lord blesses us as we turn our lives to him.
As we give more of ourselves to the Lord, we will have joy.
A glimpse of each day
We are in a very full season of life with so much going on and so many things I could share, but I can’t seem to sort these things into words.
Wishing you the best,
-A
Home again
Sweet goodbye
This was the goodbye Tim and his MTC companion received on Saipan.😭 We will welcome these elders home this week!
If only he didn’t have to leave these people in order to come home. There’s the rub.
Jury duty
I was a juror for a criminal case this week. I lost my mind with worry before the trial, but I survived. Our bailiff, who was in charge of guiding the jury, brought us snacks and lunch, and he was personable and kind. He said there was a lot of sadness in a courthouse, and he felt it was part of his job to cheer up the jurors. I was impressed by the judge’s demeanor and that he visited the jurors after the trial to thank us in person.
The people in the courtroom stood out of respect each time the jury entered and exited. I felt the gravity of our task each time this happened. The charge was a third degree felony, and we found the defendant guilty. Yes, this was a heavy responsibility.
Here is a small part of the thank you letter from the judge,
I appreciate your conscientious an dedicated service. I don’t extend this praise lightly, because jury service can be frustrating, exciting, disappointing and, at the very least, inconvenient. But now that you are a “seasoned veteran” of jury service, I ask that you encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to serve when they are summoned. The quality of justice that all of us enjoy in this country ultimately rests upon the quality of those who administer and participate in it.
Our jury system affords a greater protection of individual rights than any system of justice in the world. We can be proud that important questions of right and wrong, innocence and guilt are decided by everyday citizens speaking for the community…
Jury service is tremendously important, and should therefore demand the attention of the best in society. I hope that your juror service will produce a lasting memory that you will remember with a sense of pride.
Trunk or Treat
I’m avoiding a display of photos of little kids in this post for their protection, but just imagine many happy little ones running around in costumes, plus many more decorated cars. It was a super fun evening in the church parking lot.