11 December 2016 - Teaching, Trips & Temple

Stephen has been sick most of the week. After spending last Sunday in bed he was able to go to an to a few classes and substitute teach this week for several schools. He taught at Neely-O'Brian on Tuesday and Panther Lake on Thursday. Friday was at Sunrise Elementary and he was surprised at how messy the room was. Disorganization reigned and it was a wonder the kids could learn anything. He had to pick up the floor before the kids got into the classroom and then at the end of the day he had the kids pick up the room. It was that bad.
Kathleen taught Seminary twice on Monday and Wednesday and got a substitute for her class on  Friday so she could fly to Las Vegas, rent a car and drive with Susan up to St. George to visit Francene. They got there late but were warmly welcomed by Jay and Mindy that night and they were able to spend some nice time with Francene and Sarah, Jessica, Hadlie and Christian came later that morning. Susan checked Francene over and had the nurses put a dressing on a wound on her heel, reposition her and talk about what she has been doing. She was in tears at the first and said she didn't do anything for Thanksgiving but Mindy reminded her that they had taken her to the church where Leonard's family gathered for Thanksgiving and she played "Pie in the Face" with the others. She is emotional at times and then fades in and out of her surroundings. She complained a great deal when anyone would try to lift her arms or legs without getting her permission to do so. Susan explained that it was the only way that she had any control of her situation.  Jessica had to take Hadlie to the urgent care because she was complaining of an ear ache and was running a fever. Hadlie had an ear infection and  Christian had a barky cough. They did really well under the circumstances.

Decoration up in the room and on Christian

  Everyone decorated Francene's room with Christmas decor from the dollar store. She had a nativity that was put up on her night stand and wooden deer that Grandpa Langford had carved which went up with a nutcracker soldier on her armoire. Her cabinet drawers were decked out in wrapping paper and bows. It was festive.

Hadlie was not feeling well.

Two queen beds.

The sofa

View from the window....

  After a very late lunch at the Black Bear Diner, Susan and Kathleen headed back to Las Vegas and Jessica and Sarah made their way back to Provo. All arrived safely. Kathleen turned in the rental car after Susan had registered at the Venetian Hotel for the conference she was attending in Las Vegas. Kathleen got to spend the night with her for Thursday night before she flew home Friday morning. Rebekah picked her up at the airport and then went to her glass-blowing activity that her boss at the Dental office was providing for the staff. That evening she had her office Christmas Party which is an annual event.
  Thursday night Eric Taylor and his new wife Detsy (from Venezuela) came to stay for the weekend. Stephen was in charge of making the home ready for company. They are sleeping in Ben's old room and Samuel was to clean up the bathroom. Detsy had never seen snow before so Eric was taking her to Leavenworth but the snow was too thick on the road so they didn't make it all the way there. They went to visit Eric's kids and introduce Detsy to them. She is a missionary from his mission in Venezuela and he knew her from years ago. She was married to the Stake President but he left his family and the church and she has raised her children all by herself. All 3 kids went on missions and are active in the church. She has a strong testimony and they plan on being sealed next year.

Kappy, kneeling in front of Stephen.

  Kathleen made it home in time to change and get ready to go to the temple where she was the escort for Sister Kaprice Baranet-Hughes. She was getting her endowments out and there was such a wonderful group of supporters. The sister missionaries asked for a ride to the temple so they came early so that Kappy could go through the initiatory first. She was the only person going through for her own endowments which made it very special for her. Lots of people from the ward came and she was in tears. It was a spiritual high.

Kappy with the Spanish Sister Missionaries,
Yost and Jorgenson.

  Saturday was another opportunity to go to the temple. Kappy was sealed to her deceased husband by proxy with the missionary who found her. He came back from his home with his parents to tour Seattle and be with Kappy in the place of her husband. He seemed a little nervous about what his roll would be especially after the sealer pronounced "husband and wife". His father teased him prior to the sealing about having to give Kappy a kiss over the alter. Kappy was just pleased and seemed to really appreciate everything that she was doing. Her father is in the final stages of cancer and she was told he probably wouldn't make it through the weekend and he was scheduled to be in respite care for this weekend. She is hoping that he doesn't pass away in her home.
  A quick side-trip to the Bellevue Stake Nativity activity was such a blessing. They really made the whole building out to be a walk in Old Jerusalem. It was a lovely, spiritual experience with so many testimonies of Christ and His birth.

We filled clear bulbs with floor polish and
glitter. It made a nice christmas ornament
without all the glitter mess.

  Saturday night was a "craft night" at Rebekah's house. She has her little house decked out in Christmas cheer and she has invited Lisa Lewis and Kathleen over to make some decorations for Christmas or other holidays. It was a fun night.

Candy Cane snowflakes.

  Sunday was a wonderful treat. The talks were on the Light of Christ and brought out the church's message on giving service for 25 days before Christmas. There have been so many little opportunities to serve. Helping people reach something on a high shelf, saying "hello" with a smile to a stranger, picking up a gift that someone can't get. Lots of little things that make someone's day brighter. During church the choir practiced with the primary children for the Christmas Day Sacrament meeting. They will be singing one song with the choir and the children sang so beautifully it put most of the choir in tears.