2 October 2016 - General Conference and Round-up

Stephen made it home for Ohio around midnight Monday to early Tuesday morning. His cold settled in his chest and he said that Grandpa Ralph had caught it from him. He had meetings to go to on Tuesday night and Samuel had a volleyball game that his team lost but it was nice to have Stephen home for a little while before he saddled up (literally) to go a find lost "doggies" on the mountains of Idaho.

   Wednesday during the day, Kathleen worked at the  Tribal Life Trail, taking groups of second grade students through the trail and explaining the different plants that the Native people used to survive. It was a fun bunch of groups and it took most of the daylight hours.

Early morning sunrise in Kent.

 Wednesday night was Scout court of Honor and Samuel received his Life Scout and 3 merit badges, family life, disability and coin collecting. He seemed very pleased with his accomplishments.

Br. Johnson passing out the merit badges. 

Pinning the Life Scout pin on his mom.

Stephen left for Idaho with Brian early Thursday morning. They had a rental car and made it through Montana and to Idaho Falls in plenty of time to meet up with Bruce and the other wranglers. Cell phone reception was spotty so he was unable to call out regularly. They worked hard moving over 500 head of cattle out of the summer grazing grounds.
   Friday was a work around the yard day. We trimmed out the strawberries, pulled weeds, watered and picked beans, squash, tomatoes and onions. Saturday was the beginning of conference. What a wonderful talk by Elder Uchtdorf to start out.  All the talks were so inspiring. How blessed we are to have the opportunity to hear from our leaders so easily and to know that the kingdom will not fall this time around. Sunday's talk were so "joyful". It was amazing to be reminded that we are so blessed and that JOY is what we will have in this life through covenants and especially in the next as we keep those covenants. What a blessing to hear inspired men and women of God.

Daniel L. Johnson was the Elder that set Stephen apart
as a counselor in the Stake Presidency. He was made an
emeritus status. He is a distant cousin.