June 25, 2023
Dear Family:
One of the several nice things that happened last week; Jay and Alena came to visit. Jay continued replacing the rotten (really
rotten) floor in the guest bathroom. He
had previously removed all the yuck. This week he repaired the floor, subfloor
and installed tile. (I just happened to have left over tile.) The plumber comes Tuesday to install the
Kohler toilet that I ordered from Amazon.
Delivered!! Mike didn’t have to
go to Costco to buy one, pickup, deliver and install. Then the guest bathroom smell nightmare of
years will be over. I had a meltdown early
on in the remedy process, but I made it through.
Alena and I had a chance to visit and I was horrified to
hear her elementary school experiences of last year. She teaches 2nd grade. When Brad and Sheri came to visit this
morning, I came to find out that Sheri’s teaching experience last year were filled
with nightmares as well. Alena and Sheri
are of the same mind: Education in the schools has changed and not for the
better in the last 5-10 years. It must be all over because another teacher that
I visited with last week that just retired said the same thing.
Amy and Mike came in the middle of the week last week. Mike brought in and opened the Amazon boxes
to make sure all the toilet stuff I ordered was ok and not broken. Amy and I managed to repair some rips in her
outdoor umbrella cover. I’ve got a great
family.
There was a big “Going Street” Reunion yesterday
afternoon. I wasn’t able to go because I
was picking up Paige Barlow from the airport and she stayed overnight. She moved to Ft. Collins Colorado area 6
years ago with her family, but she came back to go to girl’s camp with old
friends.
Tomorrow Glennda and I are going to get together for
lunch. She has been busy preparing her
yard and home for the 4th of July when her family is coming. I might go out for a short visit after my gig
July 4 afternoon. I actually have no
gigs this coming week. Maybe a little
down time is in order.
Brad and Sheri and I were talking today about the changes in
procedures of some things in the church.
The doctrine hasn’t changed; but now missionaries can call and talk to
their families once a week, people can get married in front of their non-member
parents one day and go to the temple the next day. It used to be a year. I wish they still had Gold and Green Balls,
dance festivals, church basketball, and lots of other things that used to keep
the youth involved and excited. But
nothing stays the same.
If you are so inclined, here is a Deseret News article from
2019, about LGBT families, temple marriage can happen right after civil
marriages now, & President Nelson
announced a historic policy change on Oct. 2,2019 allowing women, youth and children to serve
as witnesses of sealing and baptismal ordinances performed both in and out of
temples.
https://www.thechurchnews.com/2019/12/26/23264806/lds-mormon-church-policy-changes-2019
In addition to 2 hour church services and renaming the
church website, etc……. Also “Missionaries can call, text or
do video chats once a week on a designated day called preparation day.
Previously, they were only allowed to call home on Christmas and Mother's Day.
They could email or send letters once a week. Feb 16,
2019”
After Brad and Sheri were talking today about these changes,
I got curious and decided to look them up and see when the changes were made. I must have been in “outer space” when they
announced 2 hour meeting schedule. I
just assumed they changed for Covid and never returned to prior schedule.
I also ran into a David Bannock (he was with a lady from our
ward) who knew Megan’s grandparents and people from the old Columbia River
Stakes from before 1963. It really
stretched my memory. All in all it’s a
small world in many ways.
Glennda and I were talking recently about work ethic. How our father expected us to work and he
truly set the example. He had a learning
disability, but overcame and then became a “provider and defender” of our
family. After his unfortunate automobile
accident in 1950, and 3 resulting brain operations, he was never the same
really. His temper was short, he was
irritable sometimes and I thought he was mean.
But as I grew up, I realized that he did the best he could with only a
fraction of his brain that was functioning….I became less judgmental of
him. I will always thank him for
teaching me how to work, and work hard…….and How to see a task until it is
finished and done to the best of my ability.
If I tell someone that I will do something….I do it. Thank you Dad.
From President Hinckley;
“There is nothing in all the world so satisfying as a task
well done. There is no reward so
pleasing as that which comes from the mastery of a difficult problem or challenge.”
It is also interesting how Glennda and I text each other
daily to report on our “tasks well done.”
I love that we do that for each other. I’ve got a great sister. We frequently lament to each other that Judy
would like to know these things too. But
life changes – we both miss her terribly.
I am still very thankful for the posts you make on social
media regarding my great grandchildren. I am hopeful that sometime in August I can fly
to Spokane to meet Addie and Jude.
I hope you are all keeping up with Haley Lewis’ posts &
the new things in her life.
Congratulations Girl!
Have a wonderful week.
Love Mom, grandma, great grandma, sister and Aunt Suzanne
